Is This Really *Our* War? The View from Below
As the Ukraine war grinds on, it’s increasingly clear that Europe’s political class committed to a long conflict with Russia. From Berlin to Brussels and London, our leaders speak with one voice: this is about security, sovereignty, values, and defending the European Order.
But what if you step outside the corridors of power? What if you ask the builders, bakers, teachers, engineers, retirees - the real citizens of Europe? Here’s how the story sounds when the official line meets street-level common sense - "the popular vote" says what?.
1. “This is about defending sovereignty and borders”
The official line: Russia violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity. We must stand against aggression. If we don’t draw the line in Ukraine, no one is safe, they'll get us.
The popular vote: “Russia had been warning for decades that Ukraine was the gateway through which previous invasions had passed and that NATO expansion threatened its security, its existence even. Where was official concern for sovereignty in Iraq? Libya? Kosovo? ... so why in Ukraine? If borders are sacred, why did NATO break up Yugoslavia? The West has selectively respected sovereignty for decades. Russia had no choice but to follow-through on Ukrainian neutrality. "
2. “We are defending European values – democracy, freedom, rule of law”
The official line: Ukraine is fighting for the values we hold dear. Europe must stand united against authoritarianism.
The popular vote: “Ukraine is hardly a democracy. The regime in Kiev bans political parties, censors the media, even shuts down the church, and promotes fascist militias like Azov? So this isn’t about values, it’s about power.”
3. “We must reduce our dependence on Russian energy”
The official line: Dependence on Russia makes Europe vulnerable. We must diversify, even if it costs more.
The popular vote: “Diversify yes, but why replace all cheap Russian gas with overpriced American LNG? Who actually benefits from this ‘independence’? Not the people, we’re paying higher energy bills, watching industries shut down, losing employment and trade, paying out in spiralling inflation.”
4. “Europe must strengthen its defence posture”
The official line: This is a wake-up call. We must spend more on defence and take responsibility for our security.
The popular vote: “You mean we should buy more American weapons - that's not taking responsibility, it's growing dependence! This isn’t about autonomy, it’s about tieing us to Washington. And when did the public get a say?”
5. “Public support is strong. This is a war for all Europeans”
The official line: Opinion polls show support for Ukraine. Citizens understand what’s at stake.
The popular vote: “Support is manufactured, the result of propaganda, misleading the public. The media is one-sided, debate is shut down, dissent and Putin are demonised. If anyone questions the war, they are labelled a Putin apologist. This is not consent, it is coercion.”
Conclusion
From the public’s point of view, the war in Ukraine looks less like a principled stand for values and more like a reckless elite obsession, driven by a groundless fear of Russia, subservience to America, and a refusal to pursue Europe’s national interests in peace and prosperity.
“This isn’t our war,” many would say. “It’s theirs [the elite's]. And we’re paying the price.”
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