Part 5/15:
Europe has responded with substantial support. Countries like Germany and Norway have pledged billions for military aid, surpassing U.S. contributions in certain areas. The overarching goal is transforming Ukraine into a heavily armed buffer state—an active deterrent meant to dissuade Kremlin aggression.
For Putin, these developments spell a nightmare. His invasions and violation of treaties appear to have backfired, fostering a militarized Ukraine that will remain a hostile neighbor for decades. The metaphor of a "porcupine" on Russia's border captures this reality—a small but fiercely defensive obstacle capable of inflicting real pain on any future Russian threats.