Europe’s vulnerability that was suddenly exposed existed because of a longstanding complacency by Western powers, western Europe had not been willing to listen to the frontline states who warned over the Russian regime’s intent and understood that more expensive energy was a price worth paying in exchange for not being vulnerable to Russian pressure. This complacency left Russia with multiple open goals to kick at in major Western European capitals, most notably Germany.

Keir Giles

Keir Giles (born 26 January 1968) is a British writer and academic. Giles is an expert on security issues affecting Russia, and on the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He was educated at Orley Farm School and Winchester College. Giles is a Senior Consulting Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). He is also a research director with the Conflict Studies Research Centre.Before his academic career, Giles undertook pilot training with the Royal Air Force and worked as an actor with Gorky Film Studios, appearing in A Captive in the Land and other productions.

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