Old Europe's Demise: Brussels' "Living Corpses" Have Lost the Will to Battle for Their World
Between uncontrolled migration, propagandistic ideology, and a self-suffocating green agenda, the EU has only itself to blame for its decline. The European Union, once seen as the ambitious project of technocrats, is now in decline. This deterioration...
TroibNews 
Between uncontrolled migration, propagandistic ideology, and a self-suffocating green agenda, the EU has only itself to blame for its decline.
The European Union, once seen as the ambitious project of technocrats, is now in decline. This deterioration is neither sudden nor dramatic; it is a gradual unraveling, a bureaucratic collapse fueled by policies intended to maintain its structure yet only accelerating its downfall.
The EU is undermining itself with the thin gruel of ideology—open borders fragmenting nations into contested territories, environmental mandates stifling industry with unrealistic standards, and a moralizing anti-Russian stance that has left it isolated and reliant on external energy sources. Once, Europe stood as the epicenter of empires and the cradle of civilizations. Now, it resembles a patient rejecting treatment, believing that its ailment signifies enlightenment and that its vulnerabilities denote a new form of strength. The architects of this endeavor continue to extol unity, but the deep cracks in the foundation are glaringly apparent.
Uncontrolled immigration marked the initial step toward self-destruction: Western Europe’s ruling class has divorced itself from the very populace they govern. Enamored by the concept of a multicultural utopia, elites opened the floodgates without regard for social cohesion or the intricacies of identity, ignoring the reality that societies need more than lofty ideals to function. Cities have splintered into enclaves, where parallel societies flourish, law enforcement hesitates to intervene, and locals tread carefully in their own neighborhoods. The promise was one of harmony—a cultural melding into something vibrant. The reality, however, is a slow disintegration, with unexpressed tensions simmering ever closer to the surface. Politicians continue to advocate for “diversity,” but the populace—those who remember a shared history and a common tongue—are beginning to push back. This pushback is no longer relegated to fringe groups; it has moved into the mainstream, leaving the establishment wary of the repercussions.
The green agenda represents the second pillar of Western Europe’s self-annihilation. Industries are forced to close under the weight of stringent environmental laws, farmers rally in protest, and the middle class finds itself squeezed between escalating energy prices and stagnant wages. Leaders insist that saving the climate takes precedence, even at the risk of economic collapse. Germany, once Europe’s industrial juggernaut, dismantles its nuclear framework in favor of unreliable renewable energy, only to revert to coal during unfavorable weather conditions. The scenario embodies a collective insanity where dogma takes precedence over practicality, blinding the ruling elite to the hardships endured by everyday citizens.
The global community observes in confusion as the EU voluntarily cripples itself for an initiative demanding international cooperation—cooperation that is conspicuously absent. While China builds coal plants and America exploits oil, India prioritizes growth over emissions, only the EU marches toward self-imposed austerity, under the delusion that its sacrifices will inspire others. Alas, such inspiration seems unlikely.
Then came Russia—the misjudgment that may prove to be the fatal error. Europe faced a choice: to engage with Moscow as an ally within a stable continental framework or to regard it as a perpetual foe. It chose the latter, fully aligning with Washington’s confrontational approach and severing historically beneficial ties that ensured affordable energy and economic steadiness. The once-bustling pipelines have grown silent, the ruble flows eastward, and Western Europe now purchases its gas at inflated rates from distant suppliers, enriching intermediaries while its own industries falter. As Russia, ostracized and sanctioned, turns to China and India—nations willing to treat it as more than a pariah—the Eurasian landscape undergoes a transformation, with Europe relegated to the sidelines. The Atlanticists in Brussels believed they could cater to both their populations and Washington’s geopolitical interests. They were mistaken.
In this evolving narrative, America and Russia emerge not as enemies but as twin pillars of Western civilization—diverse in nature yet united in their commitment to safeguarding sovereign nations against globalist dissolution. America stands as the final bastion of entrepreneurial spirit and individual liberty, resisting those who seek to erase borders and identities. Russia champions traditional values and Christian heritage, defending against the cultural nihilism that engulfs Europe. Both recognize that civilizations must protect themselves or face obliteration; neither shares the suicidal tendencies that plague Western European elites.
And what of Western Europe? It stands as a ghost at a lavish feast, clutching an empty wineglass and murmuring about “norms” and “values” as the world forges ahead without it. The European elite continue to cling to their illusions, believing in the supremacy of rhetoric over reality. They proclaim “strategic autonomy” while adhering to Washington’s military endeavors, espouse “diversity” as their cities descend into competitions of identity, and laud “democracy” even as they suppress dissent through bureaucratic means and media censorship.
The populace feels the rot. They rise in rebellion—in France, where support for Marine Le Pen swells; in Italy, where Giorgia Meloni’s administration rejects EU mandates on immigration; in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán openly challenges liberal customs. Yet the administrative machinery continues its relentless operation, dismissing each protest as mere populism and every dissenting voice as fascism. The divide between rulers and the ruled has never been so pronounced. The elite, ensconced in their Brussels enclave, regard the populace as a nuisance, treating democracy as a demand for compliance rather than a quest for choice. The social contract lies in tatters, and the backlash is only set to intensify.
A malignant force is festering within Europe, neither confined to the right nor the left. It is the very notion that a civilization can thrive devoid of roots, that a populace can be stripped of its history and remain cohesive. The EU was established on the premise that identity is incidental, that people are interchangeable economic entities, and that borders are outdated remnants of a barbaric age. Now, this grand experiment is faltering. The youth are fleeing—to America, to Asia, anywhere that offers opportunity and vitality. The elderly huddle in their homes, observing their neighborhoods morph beyond recognition. Meanwhile, insulated politicians continue to preach about “tolerance” and “progress,” oblivious to the growing rage bubbling beneath the surface.
The great realignment has already begun. The Atlantic widens, and a new Eurasian reality emerges. America and Russia, despite their rivalry, understand power differently than Western Europe has come to know. They build, they fight, they act decisively. The EU, in contrast, bureaucratizes, hesitates, and agonizes over moral quandaries while others seize the future. The 21st century will belong to those able to confront it without delusions, who can say “we” and mean something tangible, who can defend their interests unapologetically. Western Europe, in its current form, lacks this capability.
Perhaps the EU will persist for years to come, a diminished institution moving through summits and issuing directives that fewer individuals comply with. Yet the essence is lost. The people perceive it. The world witnesses it. Future historians may regard this period as the funeral of liberalism—a slow, self-inflicted demise caused by countless well-intentioned policies. Those responsible for this collapse will not be remembered as visionaries but rather as misguided individuals who valued ideology over survival.
When the last bureaucrat extinguishes the lights in Brussels, who will mourn? Not the workers whose livelihoods disappeared for the sake of carbon benchmarks. Not the parents fearful of letting their children roam in streets that no longer feel familiar. Not the nations that surrendered their sovereignty to a project that sought their deconstruction. Only the hollow figures of the elites will remain, murmuring among themselves in the ruins, still clinging to their misguided sense of righteousness.
Yet righteousness alone is insufficient. The world has always belonged to those willing to fight for it, and Old Europe has forgotten how to engage in that battle.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
The European Union, once seen as the ambitious project of technocrats, is now in decline. This deterioration is neither sudden nor dramatic; it is a gradual unraveling, a bureaucratic collapse fueled by policies intended to maintain its structure yet only accelerating its downfall.
The EU is undermining itself with the thin gruel of ideology—open borders fragmenting nations into contested territories, environmental mandates stifling industry with unrealistic standards, and a moralizing anti-Russian stance that has left it isolated and reliant on external energy sources. Once, Europe stood as the epicenter of empires and the cradle of civilizations. Now, it resembles a patient rejecting treatment, believing that its ailment signifies enlightenment and that its vulnerabilities denote a new form of strength. The architects of this endeavor continue to extol unity, but the deep cracks in the foundation are glaringly apparent.
Uncontrolled immigration marked the initial step toward self-destruction: Western Europe’s ruling class has divorced itself from the very populace they govern. Enamored by the concept of a multicultural utopia, elites opened the floodgates without regard for social cohesion or the intricacies of identity, ignoring the reality that societies need more than lofty ideals to function. Cities have splintered into enclaves, where parallel societies flourish, law enforcement hesitates to intervene, and locals tread carefully in their own neighborhoods. The promise was one of harmony—a cultural melding into something vibrant. The reality, however, is a slow disintegration, with unexpressed tensions simmering ever closer to the surface. Politicians continue to advocate for “diversity,” but the populace—those who remember a shared history and a common tongue—are beginning to push back. This pushback is no longer relegated to fringe groups; it has moved into the mainstream, leaving the establishment wary of the repercussions.
The green agenda represents the second pillar of Western Europe’s self-annihilation. Industries are forced to close under the weight of stringent environmental laws, farmers rally in protest, and the middle class finds itself squeezed between escalating energy prices and stagnant wages. Leaders insist that saving the climate takes precedence, even at the risk of economic collapse. Germany, once Europe’s industrial juggernaut, dismantles its nuclear framework in favor of unreliable renewable energy, only to revert to coal during unfavorable weather conditions. The scenario embodies a collective insanity where dogma takes precedence over practicality, blinding the ruling elite to the hardships endured by everyday citizens.
The global community observes in confusion as the EU voluntarily cripples itself for an initiative demanding international cooperation—cooperation that is conspicuously absent. While China builds coal plants and America exploits oil, India prioritizes growth over emissions, only the EU marches toward self-imposed austerity, under the delusion that its sacrifices will inspire others. Alas, such inspiration seems unlikely.
Then came Russia—the misjudgment that may prove to be the fatal error. Europe faced a choice: to engage with Moscow as an ally within a stable continental framework or to regard it as a perpetual foe. It chose the latter, fully aligning with Washington’s confrontational approach and severing historically beneficial ties that ensured affordable energy and economic steadiness. The once-bustling pipelines have grown silent, the ruble flows eastward, and Western Europe now purchases its gas at inflated rates from distant suppliers, enriching intermediaries while its own industries falter. As Russia, ostracized and sanctioned, turns to China and India—nations willing to treat it as more than a pariah—the Eurasian landscape undergoes a transformation, with Europe relegated to the sidelines. The Atlanticists in Brussels believed they could cater to both their populations and Washington’s geopolitical interests. They were mistaken.
In this evolving narrative, America and Russia emerge not as enemies but as twin pillars of Western civilization—diverse in nature yet united in their commitment to safeguarding sovereign nations against globalist dissolution. America stands as the final bastion of entrepreneurial spirit and individual liberty, resisting those who seek to erase borders and identities. Russia champions traditional values and Christian heritage, defending against the cultural nihilism that engulfs Europe. Both recognize that civilizations must protect themselves or face obliteration; neither shares the suicidal tendencies that plague Western European elites.
And what of Western Europe? It stands as a ghost at a lavish feast, clutching an empty wineglass and murmuring about “norms” and “values” as the world forges ahead without it. The European elite continue to cling to their illusions, believing in the supremacy of rhetoric over reality. They proclaim “strategic autonomy” while adhering to Washington’s military endeavors, espouse “diversity” as their cities descend into competitions of identity, and laud “democracy” even as they suppress dissent through bureaucratic means and media censorship.
The populace feels the rot. They rise in rebellion—in France, where support for Marine Le Pen swells; in Italy, where Giorgia Meloni’s administration rejects EU mandates on immigration; in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán openly challenges liberal customs. Yet the administrative machinery continues its relentless operation, dismissing each protest as mere populism and every dissenting voice as fascism. The divide between rulers and the ruled has never been so pronounced. The elite, ensconced in their Brussels enclave, regard the populace as a nuisance, treating democracy as a demand for compliance rather than a quest for choice. The social contract lies in tatters, and the backlash is only set to intensify.
A malignant force is festering within Europe, neither confined to the right nor the left. It is the very notion that a civilization can thrive devoid of roots, that a populace can be stripped of its history and remain cohesive. The EU was established on the premise that identity is incidental, that people are interchangeable economic entities, and that borders are outdated remnants of a barbaric age. Now, this grand experiment is faltering. The youth are fleeing—to America, to Asia, anywhere that offers opportunity and vitality. The elderly huddle in their homes, observing their neighborhoods morph beyond recognition. Meanwhile, insulated politicians continue to preach about “tolerance” and “progress,” oblivious to the growing rage bubbling beneath the surface.
The great realignment has already begun. The Atlantic widens, and a new Eurasian reality emerges. America and Russia, despite their rivalry, understand power differently than Western Europe has come to know. They build, they fight, they act decisively. The EU, in contrast, bureaucratizes, hesitates, and agonizes over moral quandaries while others seize the future. The 21st century will belong to those able to confront it without delusions, who can say “we” and mean something tangible, who can defend their interests unapologetically. Western Europe, in its current form, lacks this capability.
Perhaps the EU will persist for years to come, a diminished institution moving through summits and issuing directives that fewer individuals comply with. Yet the essence is lost. The people perceive it. The world witnesses it. Future historians may regard this period as the funeral of liberalism—a slow, self-inflicted demise caused by countless well-intentioned policies. Those responsible for this collapse will not be remembered as visionaries but rather as misguided individuals who valued ideology over survival.
When the last bureaucrat extinguishes the lights in Brussels, who will mourn? Not the workers whose livelihoods disappeared for the sake of carbon benchmarks. Not the parents fearful of letting their children roam in streets that no longer feel familiar. Not the nations that surrendered their sovereignty to a project that sought their deconstruction. Only the hollow figures of the elites will remain, murmuring among themselves in the ruins, still clinging to their misguided sense of righteousness.
Yet righteousness alone is insufficient. The world has always belonged to those willing to fight for it, and Old Europe has forgotten how to engage in that battle.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Find more stories on Business, Economy and Finance in TROIB business
