Europeans were inspired by US President Joe Biden's visit to Warsaw and Kyiv in February. Then the American leader confirmed that, although America is far away, it is true to freedom in Europe and understands that Ukraine is fighting for freedom for all..

“Ukraine does not want to fight with Russia. Just like we do. But it is becoming more and more obvious that Russia has long decided that it is at war with us.. For years, the Kremlin has systematically undermined international stability and security by violating international law, using or threatening to use force, and undermining democratic institutions through political and hybrid warfare.. His act of aggression against Ukraine is only the extreme manifestation of these actions.. Our call must be taken seriously: if Russia wins and Ukraine falls, Central Europe could be next,” write Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Geger and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a joint article for Foreign Affairs..

They are convinced that defeating Russia now in Ukraine will make it less likely that Kyiv's friends will have to shed their own blood later..

“This will send a clear signal that frozen conflicts and endless wars have no place in our region.. And this will make it clear to tyrants around the world that aggression will not be rewarded, and dictators will not be allowed to cut the planet into spheres of their sinister influence,” emphasize the heads of government of the three countries..

Fiala, Geger and Morawiecki also emphasize that support for Ukraine must be maintained until Russian troops are completely withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, finally ending Kremlin revanchism and imperialism.. Ending the war with Russia, which still owns Crimea and territories in eastern Ukraine, would be like an open invitation to all the authoritarian lunatics who think it's okay to invade their neighbors based on fabricated, hateful narratives while killing hundreds and thousands of innocents..

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Freezing conflicts is Russia's favorite way to buy time by pretending to end the war it started.. A frozen conflict will not bring stability, security or economic conditions in the long run. It will most likely allow Russia to regroup and rebuild its forces while continuing to wage political warfare and export its imperial ideology..

On the front line.

The leaders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland write that they are proud of the united reaction of Europe to Russian aggression. They are a reminder that their countries have experienced Russian revanchism, totalitarianism, occupation, deportations and massacres in their history.. For years, Central Europeans have warned of these dangers..

“As leaders of nations at the forefront of this broader struggle, we have known from day one that our countries have a particularly important role to play.. Our history has also taught us the importance of standing up to evil and supporting those who fight back.. That is why the leaders of our region were the first to visit President Volodymyr Zelensky in besieged Kyiv. That is why our countries accepted millions of refugees and sent military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine from the first days of the Russian invasion,” emphasize Fiala, Geger and Morawiecki..

They also emphasize that the war has added new energy to the transatlantic alliance.. Many NATO members are now doing more to increase defense spending and modernize their armed forces than at any time in the Alliance's history.. As leaders make new commitments at the Vilnius summit in July, they must continue to improve their defense plans and increase the readiness of our armed forces.. It is obvious that common security will require even more resources, both financial and human, in order to maintain military and technological advantage in the future.. Europeans have shown they are capable of bearing their fair share of the burden. Ukraine's military support also means Europe is helping its own defense industry, strengthening the transatlantic alliance..

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“This is an important principle of our assistance: helping Ukraine does not mean undermining our own defense capability.. Now is not the time to weaken our resolve. As the fighting intensifies on the battlefield this spring, we look to the future - summer and autumn. We must continue to support Ukraine without reservations. This includes ensuring that it receives all the weapons and financial assistance it needs to defeat Russia and fully restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity.. This is a legitimate demand of the democratically elected government of Ukraine,” write the leaders of the three countries..

European military support has so far been vital in combat. Given the indiscriminate nature of Russian shelling, the transfer of any type of conventional weapons cannot be ruled out a priori.. The leaders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland also call for a bolder and faster decision to provide assistance to Kyiv.. Because every hesitation, every delay is dangerous for Ukraine. Giving her the leverage she needs to win is the best way to avoid a protracted war..

Fiala, Geger and Morawiecki also praised the International Criminal Court for bringing charges against Vladimir Putin. It is important that the court continue to investigate war crimes committed in Ukraine. But it is also time to create a special tribunal that will hold the Russian top leadership to account for the crime of aggression they have committed..

“We also propose the confiscation of Russian assets and reserves, which in the West are estimated at 350-400 billion dollars.. These funds can and should be used for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine,” the leaders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland say..

After the war.

They also note that it is not too early to plan post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.. There will be no investment and no sustainable recovery if Kyiv fails to defend itself against future aggression.

The future of European security must be built on a strong foundation, and NATO must be a strong connecting factor for a transatlantic community that promotes democratic values, security cooperation and the peaceful resolution of disputes. At the upcoming summit in Vilnius, NATO will have to answer difficult but inevitable questions about the future of the Alliance, including its attitude towards Ukraine and the future strategy for Russia. In 2008, the Allies decided that the future of Ukraine (like Georgia) should be linked to NATO.. According to the leaders of the three countries, it is time for the Alliance to outline a clear and reliable path to Ukraine's membership, so that this becomes possible under appropriate conditions and the desire of the Ukrainian side..

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“By that time, we should be ready to provide security guarantees, apart from political assurances that will not allow Ukraine to become a “gray zone”. Gray areas create opportunities for authoritarian regimes to sow instability and heighten tensions,” write the Prime Ministers of the Czech, Slovak and Polish leaders.

As far as Russia is concerned, it is fair to say that the West’s longstanding approach of combining deterrence with dialogue needs to be modernized..

“For many years we patiently shared our views and differences with Russia in various contexts, including in the NATO-RF Council, but to no avail.. Talking to the wall won't change Russian behavior. Faced with a lack of dialogue, NATO as a political-military alliance must be prepared to adjust its strategy as it goes. Seventy-six years ago, in this magazine, George Kennan called for a containment policy for the Soviet Union.. Similar principles can be applied today: military force, tough sanctions, isolation of Russia and transatlantic unity are the key principles of our strategy,” explain Fiala, Geger and Morawiecki.

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They emphasize that they also share Washington's concern for freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific region..

Security is a global challenge, like a joint struggle for democracy and freedom. If Europe is to remain whole and free, American involvement and leadership will be critical.. However, resolute support for Ukraine will also help deter aggression in other parts of the world, sending a signal that tyrants will not be appeased anywhere: not in Europe, not in Asia, or in any other region..

“This message will be especially clear when Ukraine wins and Russia loses,” the authors are convinced..