Part 2/6:
A prominent theme that has emerged is what can be described as the "politics of fear." Many EU leaders, particularly from Western Europe, harbor apprehensions when it comes to addressing threats posed by Russia. This fear stems from a reliance on the United States for security. Western European countries have long enjoyed the protection of an American security umbrella, which fosters a sense of safety and the possibility of disengagement from the aggressive maneuvers of neighboring states.