Part 4/9:
Ursula von der Leyen's striking choice of words—to turn Ukraine into a "steel porcupine," indigestible to invaders—captures the mindset adopted by EU leaders. This metaphor underscores a commitment to reinforcing Ukraine's military capabilities rather than seeking diplomatic solutions. The discussions and commitments from EU leaders were devoid of any significant propositions for how negotiating peace should actually proceed, a glaring omission given that Russian officials have repeatedly voiced their willingness to engage in talks to resolve the conflict.