Poland and the three Baltic states certainly understand and know Kremlin policy better than the governments of Western countries, but... warnings and concerns went unheeded. Sadly, for years, Western Europeans treated representatives from Poland and the Baltic states with considerable disdain when they raised concerns about the far-reaching plans of Russian President V. Putin. Only now, with the water rising to their necks, are the "Westerners" realising that they should have listened to representatives from those countries that undoubtedly have better and deeper knowledge of the Kremlin, complemented by bitter historical experience.

What did Western European countries do instead of listening and taking action? They created paths for commercial and political appeasement and cooperation with Putin's regime. The leading country in this regard was Germany, under the leadership of its long-serving Chancellor Angela Merkel. We see the consequences of this policy clearly now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, is bombing its cities, and millions of residents are already fleeing the country.
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