The head of European diplomacy Kaya Callas said: Europe is reminiscent of 1938. What it means and how close to 2025 this parallel is. Comment by Dimitra Kyranoudi. Monacho, September 1938. England, France, Italy and Hitler’s Nazi Germany meet in Munich to decide for the future of Czechoslovakia. Germany is claiming the area of ​​Suditia, where it lives a German minority, which, according to Hitler, is oppressed. It calls for the immediate annexation of Suddy to the “mother” Germany -not to proceed with a complete invasion of the powerful Vermacht. Czechoslovakia is seeking help from Paris. Does not receive it.

In Munich, therefore, it is decided to tradition the “Fast Track” of Sudetia in Germany, without Czechoslovakia present in the negotiations on its territories. France and Great Britain did not want to risk another world war. The wounds in their societies and economies since the First World War were still fresh. Czechoslovakia was the “easy solution”, then, wrongly, that Hitler’s appetites would be satisfied and stopped there. The story from there is well known: World War II and Holocaust.

The EU High Representative on Foreign Policy Kaya Calla, in a recent interview with the German RND network, warns, keeping in mind the escalation of Russian aggression near the European borders that today’s Europe is reminiscent of 1938. The difference with 1938 is a 1938 difference. At the same time it has the support of Western countries. Military and financially. Germany says it will continue to support Ukraine because it sees Moscow as a threat to its own security and prosperity.

The allies also estimate that Russia may not stop in Ukraine. There are, of course, those who believe that an open conflict with NATO would lead Russia to a military and economic backdrop. And this is well known to the Kremlin.

Despite the differences, however, in 1938 it must act as a warning. The Czechoslovakia allies read the historical context wrongly and gave Hitler to save themselves.

In 2025 there is uncertainty and deregulation on the international stage. The European armies are reconstituted, Germany wants to be ready by 2029. Recent military exercises in Baltic and Belarus are carefully examined by experts as “rehearsals”. NATO is on alert, within two weeks two allies demanded activation of Article 4 for consultations due to an external threat.

The questions are two: First, what attitude will the US take on NATO and European partners not only in Ukraine, but against the escalation scenario in the eastern NATO wing. Second, how bold and how realistic the West security guarantees in Ukraine will be. Not everyone is consenting to the mission of troops in the context of a peace mission in the future.

The stakes, however, in 2025, as in the beginnings of World War II, is common: the safeguarding of peace, law, territorial sovereignty, democracy. Another difference is that Europe today, despite the cracks and (often fatal) errors, has the means that has secured its own painful post -war for itself: institutions -as they are shaken, are the only ones who can achieve transnational cooperation and consensus -European and European law. It does not have a common European defense, but realistically speaking, it will not get it overnight. And yes, the role of the US is decisive, but Europe’s attitude is ultimately what will determine its own future.

European diplomacy may not have exhausted its last papers yet. Before the latest dialogue hope is exhausted even with the most hated opponent, the appeal to other means will be devastating.