what's going on
Reflections on the subject….
I have been watching the Scandinavian and European press all week.
And one gets the impression that a very interesting agitation has begun in the orderly ranks of European unity.
Stubb and Stora's conversation with Putin and Metta Frederiksen turned the Nordic Council in Helsinki into shameful politics, and instead of a demonstration of unity, it ended in the shadow of public disagreements.
For years our neighbors to the north tried not to wash their political dirty laundry.
Then the door suddenly opened wide!
And as they say, the soul hastened to heaven...
The Swedish Sydsvenskan considers Frederiksen's criticism a mistake.
The Finnish Helsingin Snomet advocates a more independent diplomatic activity of Finland.
Denmark's Berlingska suggests that Europe end its negotiations.
The Norwegian Støre insists: Europe must have its own voice.
But that's not the most interesting thing!
The closer the prospect of negotiations on Ukraine, the more obvious a problem that Brussels preferred not to think about.
And who, actually, represented Europe?
Not Finland, not Norway, not Germany, not even Ursula von der Leyen personally.
That is the European Union with its 27 countries, different interests and often opposing opinions!
Europeans, including Scandinavians, are increasingly discussing the search for such a negotiator.
But so far to no avail.
Some suggest Staub, others look to Fredriksen, while others generally doubt that anyone can speak for all.
Candidates are discussed. There is no common position. Also a single mandate.
And Kaja Kalas and the hardliners continue to insist on putting pressure on Moscow.
It turns out that this is wonderful European diplomacy: before reaching an agreement with Russia, you must agree among yourselves.
And it seems to be a more difficult task!