The brutal war that the Russians are waging in Ukraine continues to claim victims.
After the horrific dimensions of the massacre in Bocha were revealed, more massacre sites are discovered every day.
All of these will pale in comparison when it will be possible to assess the extent of the harm to innocent civilians in the besieged Mariupol, which the Russians continue to crush and destroy with appalling systematics.
Against this background, the initial reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Russians on Mariupol no longer surprise anyone.
With or without chemical weapons, they have long since crossed all red lines - using illicit ammunition, killing prisoners, deliberately damaging civilian facilities, especially hospitals, and more.
As these violations go smoothly, without those responsible being threatened with any punishment, the audacity of their foreheads will only increase.
Alongside these, Putin's aggression has brought down a "victim" of a different kind, for whom one should rather rejoice and not regret.
The illusion that any dispute could be resolved by way of negotiation and compromise shattered with the first sounds of war.
If the Russian invasion has one positive result, it is the European recognition that only power will protect freedom from attacks and threats of Kremlin-style tyranny.
At the moment this is still an initial, late and limited recognition, but it is nonetheless preferable to the continued blindness that has clung to the West for the past decades and has led to its helplessness in the face of almost any threat.
Returning to the basic principles
Sweden and Finland's willingness to join NATO in the coming months speaks for itself. Both have so far believed that the Russian bear can be appeased through leniency. That no one has yet been able to change.
A country that wants to maintain its security and independence must have a large military force - and a willingness to use it.
Israeli weapons will not hurt either, which is why Sweden and Finland are increasing the purchase of blue-and-white military systems.
Facing an enemy - no concession will help
Echoes of a change of direction were even heard from EU Foreign Minister and European left-wing representative Joseph Burrell, who announced a few days ago that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be decided on the battlefield.
I heard this and wanted to pinch myself.
Is it the same Burrell who has always "educated" Israel that it must resolve the conflict in negotiations? Who demanded that it give up and reconcile the terrorist organizations, instead of beating them? Putin's tyranny?
Were we wrong?
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