Europe today stands at a historic turning point, one that blends the urgency of security with the gravity of economics. The war in Ukraine has dragged on for nearly three years, reshaping the continent’s political landscape and accelerating debates about European defense, sovereignty, and the limits of economic resilience. At first glance, the logic appears straightforward: to survive in an era of growing insecurity, Europe must arm itself. Yet beneath this surface lies a darker reality. With debt burdens at unsustainable levels, sluggish economic growth, and political instability brewing across member states, the question becomes whether the push for a “war economy” is a strategy for survival-or a dangerous gamble that could accelerate decline.

At the heart of the dilemma lies the European Union’s evolving stance on Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly declared that Europe’s commitment to Kyiv is “unwavering.” Beyond financial aid and military equipment, her suggestion that EU plans might extend to deploying troops is striking. While still couched in terms of peacekeeping or support roles, such moves would inevitably blur the line between assistance and direct engagement. Once European boots are on Ukrainian soil, the perception—if not the reality- will be that the EU is at war with Russia.

This is not an abstract concern. Reports of Moscow jamming von der Leyen’s airplane’s navigation systems highlight how low-level confrontations are already underway. Cyber warfare, space-based disruption, and energy blackmail have become extensions of the battlefield. The incremental escalation risks tipping Europe from being a supporter of Ukraine into being a direct combatant-a scenario that could spiral into a wider conflict the continent is far from prepared to handle.

The push toward militarization comes at a time when Europe’s financial position is deteriorating. France’s debt........

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