The parent comment had few valid points. As a fellow EU citizen, from Finland, I'm quite sadden how badly the Germans have handled the post-Ukrainian invasion, from energy perspective and from leadership point-of-view. The latter will have long lasting effect on the whole of EU.

The Emperor has no clothes.

Germany is heading towards a few well earned decades of economic stagnation and political decline.

The question is - will the rest of the EU be able to seize this opportunity?

I don't know why you disagree with me. Thats exactly my point. Whole EU got dragged into a long war by US, that could have been avoided if EU had any real strength behind it. Whole EU is at fault for being sleepy, thinking that US protection is coming for free.

France tried repeatedly (for their own benefit but thats a given) to arm EU. Germany was comfortable so they turn it down (or at least hide behind US opposition).

> France tried repeatedly (for their own benefit but thats a given) to arm EU. Germany was comfortable so they turn it down (or at least hide behind US opposition).

It wasn't Germany blocking an EU wide army but the UK. Maybe you should get your facts straight.