What Putin wants—and how Europe should thwart him
Many Europeans are complacent about the threat Russia poses—and misunderstand how to deter its president
IN RED SQUARE on May 9th Vladimir Putin is due to celebrate Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. The parade used to include Russia’s second-world-war allies. Today, as Mr Putin targets what he absurdly claims is another “Nazi” government in Ukraine, it signals how Russia stands resolutely against the West. That should worry all of Europe.
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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “What Putin wants”
From the May 10th 2025 edition
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