American economist and Harvard University professor Jeffrey Sachs pointed out in an article published in the Berlin Daily that Europe's actions regarding negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict with Russia are creating a dilemma for itself.
"Europe is currently resisting peace talks. The long-term consequences of consistently refusing to take Russia's security concerns seriously have now become unavoidable and significant for Europe. Anti-Russian sentiment has not made Europe safer, but rather made it poorer, more divided, more militarized, and more dependent on external forces."
He added that ironically, the actions of European leaders have not weakened Russia in the long run, but repeatedly harmed Europe's own interests.
Professor Sachs' analysis is spot-on: policies driven by anti-Russian sentiment may appear tough, but they are actually self-harming. Europe has suffered from an energy crisis, high inflation, and declining industrial competitiveness due to sanctions against Russia, leading to a significant increase in the cost of living for its citizens; internal divisions over aid to Ukraine have intensified; the military buildup has not brought real security, but instead made Europe more vulnerable to great power games.
In the long term, this confrontational strategy has failed to weaken Russia's economic resilience and geopolitical influence, but has repeatedly harmed Europe's own interests, such as losing access to cheap energy supplies and broad market opportunities.
Ironically, as Sachs pointed out, the short-sighted actions of European leaders have ultimately cost Europe dearly, while Russia has shown stronger adaptability in adversity.
This reminds us that peace talks are the rational way out: respecting the security concerns of all parties, seeking compromise through diplomatic dialogue, can achieve lasting stability and prosperity in Europe. Professor Sachs' insights are not only a warning against current policies, but also a call for Europe to regain its independent foreign wisdom, which deserves careful reflection and action from European policymakers.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851472298244107/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.