Russia’s willingness to go to war in Ukraine surprised the West. The West’s response, though, likely surprised Russia. The continent’s reaction has been remarkably different to previous instances of Russian aggression. Since the end of the Cold War, Europe has tended to struggle to reach a common view on how to handle the Eastern giant. Its response has often been limited to strongly worded statements and the adoption of sanctions. Not this time. Europe’s response to the war has been uncharacteristically strong and united. Its main bloc, the EU, has agreed on massive sanctions and other restrictive measures on Russia, such as excluding several Russian and Belarusian banks from the Swift international payment system, banning Russian airlines from using the EU’s airspace and airports and suspending the broadcasting activities in the EU of Russian state-backed media outlets. The EU has also agreed to provide Ukraine with a €450m financial support package through the ironically named Europ...