Bloomberg: The War In Ukraine Has Awakened Europe
- 13.02.2026, 21:04
There have been three big changes.
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, has shocked Europe. The countries of the continent were forced to reconsider their approaches to economic policy, defense and relations with Russia. This is what Bloomberg wrote in a major analytical publication.
Economic Transformation
The war led to a sharp rise in energy costs due to the loss of access to Russian natural gas, hitting energy-intensive industries such as chemicals. Europe actively sought alternatives, building new infrastructure and redirecting resource flows.
Trade ties with Russia, which survived the Cold War, are unlikely to recover to pre-war levels.
"It's no longer a question of profit margins or reduced investment. It is simply a question of survival," said SKW Stickstoffoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH Chairman Peter Zingr.
Transformation in defense policy
Europe has gone into "defense mode," increasing spending on armaments and rebuilding armies after decades of decline. NATO members agreed to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense, and Finland and Sweden abandoned neutrality by joining the alliance. Germany has become a key player, approving a record 50 billion euros worth of contracts and rebuilding the military.
"The biggest change has been that Europe has woken up and gone into defense mode on a broad front," said Henna Virkkunen, the EU's executive vice president for technological sovereignty, security and democracy.
Transformation in the perception of Russia
The old illusions about Russia as a partner have been dispelled: Europe has recognized it as an imperial project ready for aggression. The warnings of eastern EU members such as Poland and the Baltic states have gained weight, and Moscow's hybrid attacks have heightened fears. The war has shown that Russia is not invincible but requires a willingness to confrontation.
"Russia is the world's largest country by territory, it 'remains an imperial expansionist project,'" said Oana Lungescu, a former NATO spokeswoman.