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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be worried there will be a war in Europe

182 replies

Viviennemary · 11/12/2025 19:54

I don't think there will be. But the media seem to be hell bent on
winding us up about it. I dont understand Trump's attitude at all. He's like not our problem. I thought the USA was meant to be in NATO.

OP posts:
WaryCrow · 12/12/2025 05:21

Wasn’t it Britain who did the US’s bidding in Europe to prevent any form of EU armed forces and coordinated response? Certainly our media were incredibly hostile.

hattie43 · 12/12/2025 05:24

Logically how can Russia take on Europe when it can’t defeat one country, Ukraine. They have been at war 4 yrs so manpower and funds are depleted . Putin is all chest beating and rhetoric.

WhynotJanet · 12/12/2025 05:37

Not sure if there will be but for months now, we seem to have not so coded messages about the likelihood of war. Trump is trying to destabilise Europe to do Putin’s bidding. Doesn’t help that we have Putin’s stooge, Farage also doing his bidding here.

RedTagAlan · 12/12/2025 05:39

Quote the OP : "But the media seem to be hell bent on winding us up about it."

The media are just reporting what is said though. And I think if they were not reporting what the leaders were saying, they would be accused of downplaying what the leaders are saying.

It's a pedantic point I know. but I think an important one.

BrinkWomanship · 12/12/2025 05:40

We’re already at war. Chinese and Russian bots sow division and affect elections in European society. Qatar funds the minds of our youth at universities. Russia has invaded Ukraine again. When they invaded Crimea, Western Europe did nothing. And europe - just like it did prior to WWII continues to appease another dictator with a vision of strength for his own country.

Our army is great but small. Our youth are woefully inept and lack the values and moral fortitude to fight effectively for our way of life.

our enemies plan for decades and centuries at a time to build their nations’ power. Our leaders think in election cycles and their own power. We are in terminal decline with very little chance of reversing the trend.

I sound bleak about it because I am.

Zippedydodah · 12/12/2025 06:53

I was chatting to someone high up in intelligence services recently and he’s more concerned about the cybersecurity aspect than actual physical fighting. Obviously he didn’t disclose anything that’s highly sensitive.
We already know that Russia is targeting undersea Communications cables, they’re highly likely to be already interfering with IT infrastructure etc
God forbid Putin hits the Red button but, quite frankly, I wouldn’t put anything past him and there’s sweet fa that any of us can do to stop him,
Trump, China, Russia, India, all cronies one way or another and don’t forget North Korea.

EasternStandard · 12/12/2025 07:11

hattie43 · 12/12/2025 05:24

Logically how can Russia take on Europe when it can’t defeat one country, Ukraine. They have been at war 4 yrs so manpower and funds are depleted . Putin is all chest beating and rhetoric.

Hopefully so. Although it’s horrendous for young people in Ukraine facing the poor people sent from Russia in their mullions.

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:20

WaryCrow · 12/12/2025 05:21

Wasn’t it Britain who did the US’s bidding in Europe to prevent any form of EU armed forces and coordinated response? Certainly our media were incredibly hostile.

Indeed.
And many leavers voted for Brexit because they didn't want an EU army.
Guess who toasted to Brexit with the finest champagne? And to Trump's elections? Russia. Maybe, just maybe, neither of those things were good ideas for the West.

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:25

It will sting our pride and that of a few European countries but I don't think we have much choice but to band together under whatever name we want to give that alliance (leavers should S the F U, or admit they agree to become a US colony) and pool all our resources into strengthening infrastructures, defence and tech. Our issue right now, even more than military strength, is that we are completely dependent on US tech. Europe (EU+UK) needs to build alternative systems to Microsoft, US social media platforms, Google and the AI tools from Silicon Valley. We've been far too complacent on that front as we might get locked out anyway if we don't comply as good little vassals. Medical research is another vulnerability. I'd like to know what the situation really is on critical meds.

Thisbastardcomputer · 12/12/2025 07:26

I’m saying this gently, try not to worry over things you have no control over.

ACynicalDad · 12/12/2025 07:27

If you look at what Ukraine have held back imagine Britain and France against Russia, there’s no way Putin risks that.

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:28

Thisbastardcomputer · 12/12/2025 07:26

I’m saying this gently, try not to worry over things you have no control over.

No, the time to worry is now. We all need to think about these things carefully before the next general election.

TheNoonBell · 12/12/2025 07:31

If the EU/European part of NATO attack Russia (or Belarus), and that is what is being suggested by Rutte and the "Coalition of the Willing" then things will go nuclear very fast.

We need to tell the idiots in power in the UK/EU that we will not tolerate them playing with our lives.

Sartre · 12/12/2025 07:33

Trump has highlighted how weak we are as a continent tbh. I don’t agree with him on very much but he is right that we have over relied on the US as an ally for way too long. We’re all guilty as a collective of underfunding the military for decades. I do think Trump has made a mistake in turning on Europe in other ways though, it makes us far more likely to turn to China.

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:34

TheNoonBell · 12/12/2025 07:31

If the EU/European part of NATO attack Russia (or Belarus), and that is what is being suggested by Rutte and the "Coalition of the Willing" then things will go nuclear very fast.

We need to tell the idiots in power in the UK/EU that we will not tolerate them playing with our lives.

That is not what is being suggested, unless you listen to Russian propaganda.

Sartre · 12/12/2025 07:34

ACynicalDad · 12/12/2025 07:27

If you look at what Ukraine have held back imagine Britain and France against Russia, there’s no way Putin risks that.

They did this with a heck of a lot of support and funding from the US though.

EleanorReally · 12/12/2025 07:37

worrying to listen to this morning.

cakebreak · 12/12/2025 07:38

We are already in a kind of war
Cyber attacks are common. Often russian origin.

Putin flies in large numbers people from Africa to places like Belarus and then encourages them to make their way into Europe to help destabilise the situation with waves of illegal immigration

EleanorReally · 12/12/2025 07:38

We need to be cautious about China though

Sartre · 12/12/2025 07:38

Zippedydodah · 12/12/2025 06:53

I was chatting to someone high up in intelligence services recently and he’s more concerned about the cybersecurity aspect than actual physical fighting. Obviously he didn’t disclose anything that’s highly sensitive.
We already know that Russia is targeting undersea Communications cables, they’re highly likely to be already interfering with IT infrastructure etc
God forbid Putin hits the Red button but, quite frankly, I wouldn’t put anything past him and there’s sweet fa that any of us can do to stop him,
Trump, China, Russia, India, all cronies one way or another and don’t forget North Korea.

We’re susceptible to falling into China’s arms which weakens the US economy in truth. They’re not cronies, Trump hates China. Vance hates everyone outside of the US.

TheNoonBell · 12/12/2025 07:39

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:25

It will sting our pride and that of a few European countries but I don't think we have much choice but to band together under whatever name we want to give that alliance (leavers should S the F U, or admit they agree to become a US colony) and pool all our resources into strengthening infrastructures, defence and tech. Our issue right now, even more than military strength, is that we are completely dependent on US tech. Europe (EU+UK) needs to build alternative systems to Microsoft, US social media platforms, Google and the AI tools from Silicon Valley. We've been far too complacent on that front as we might get locked out anyway if we don't comply as good little vassals. Medical research is another vulnerability. I'd like to know what the situation really is on critical meds.

Edited

The EU and UK can't build tech like the US does due to over regulation, the same goes for pretty much everything else. Massive over regulation and government micromanagement everywhere.

If you look at the latest tech based legislation in both the UK and EU it is to restrict technology companies from doing things (DSA/Online Safety Act, the EU AI Act etc).

In the UK it took 15 years of paperwork costing £1.2 billion for the Lower Thames Crossing tunnel to get permission to start work!

Nutmuncher · 12/12/2025 07:39

BrinkWomanship · 12/12/2025 05:40

We’re already at war. Chinese and Russian bots sow division and affect elections in European society. Qatar funds the minds of our youth at universities. Russia has invaded Ukraine again. When they invaded Crimea, Western Europe did nothing. And europe - just like it did prior to WWII continues to appease another dictator with a vision of strength for his own country.

Our army is great but small. Our youth are woefully inept and lack the values and moral fortitude to fight effectively for our way of life.

our enemies plan for decades and centuries at a time to build their nations’ power. Our leaders think in election cycles and their own power. We are in terminal decline with very little chance of reversing the trend.

I sound bleak about it because I am.

I hate to say it, but you’re right. Our terminal decline is incredibly bleak.

Perhaps the only saviour that could bring about immense change to the world’s calamitous path is AI. Which is even more bleak.

EasternStandard · 12/12/2025 07:42

TheNoonBell · 12/12/2025 07:31

If the EU/European part of NATO attack Russia (or Belarus), and that is what is being suggested by Rutte and the "Coalition of the Willing" then things will go nuclear very fast.

We need to tell the idiots in power in the UK/EU that we will not tolerate them playing with our lives.

Agree

HopSpringsEternal · 12/12/2025 07:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You realise you've been taken in by a cult. Your friends and family must be worried for you or annoyed with you. Ask for or help when you realise.

StandFirm · 12/12/2025 07:46

Zippedydodah · 12/12/2025 06:53

I was chatting to someone high up in intelligence services recently and he’s more concerned about the cybersecurity aspect than actual physical fighting. Obviously he didn’t disclose anything that’s highly sensitive.
We already know that Russia is targeting undersea Communications cables, they’re highly likely to be already interfering with IT infrastructure etc
God forbid Putin hits the Red button but, quite frankly, I wouldn’t put anything past him and there’s sweet fa that any of us can do to stop him,
Trump, China, Russia, India, all cronies one way or another and don’t forget North Korea.

Trump, China, Russia, India, all cronies one way or another and don’t forget North Korea.

And if you look at the world map, you realise that those guys don't want a strong wealthy block in the middle called the EU, which is also the only one in the world with the potential ability to regulate AI.

I think we are all looking at this the wrong way: it's about who gets to dominate and/or control AI. Two things are crucial for those guys: access to rare earths and no regulations to stop them.