To deter Russian threat, 'we have to get stronger and we have to get better'
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The United States and its European allies sought to project unity and a tough stance over Ukraine, warning Moscow of grave consequences if any of the tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border were to launch a cross-border offensive. The problem is "the Russians don't perceive" the Europeans worthy of dialogue and they dismiss the West's mixed messaging as nothing more than geopolitical theater, explains Gustav Gressel, Senior Policy Fellow with the Wider Europe Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations' (ECFR) Berlin office. Whether it's Blinken's “swift, severe united response” warning, Biden's "minor incursion" gaffe, or Macron's "demanding dialogue" speech to the European Parliament, "it's the wrong wording at the wrong time," explains Mr. Gressel. The Russians are convinced that "the rules will (eventually) change in their favor, the longer they wait and the more they push. In such a situation, you don't offer them rules," insists Mr. Gressel. "You say, 'guys, stop it' and you put up the means to do so. After the Russians have gotten this message, then you can talk about rules. Then you can have these kinds of speeches, but not now."