Far from accepting the defeatist idea of different and inevitably rival ‘spheres of influence’ in Europe, the EU should use its one true serious advantage vis-a-vis Russia, namely far greater wealth and a far better example.

Andrew Wilson captures it well:

The most effective way of dealing with a newly-assertive Russia will be for Europe to issue a collective refusal to accept a bipolar Europe of distinct Russian and EU spheres of influence. The place to start is Ukraine.

His various solid ideas on how to do this look quite right to me. But above all the EU needs a Policy backed by some evident determination.

Which means the EU being serious about Europe, and not just about itself.

Russia’s intervention in Georgia compels EU leaders to realise that the time has come for assuming grown-up responsibilities. Poland should have a lead role to play here by being steely, convincing – and creatively realistic.