Eastern Europe is definitely feeling it: that fear, deep in the gut, that Ukraine may lose this war, now in its third torturous year. And if it does, and Russia is able to crow a loud “I told you so,” then we shall finally have the answer to the question that has been on everyone’s mind for two years: “Who’s next?”

Ukraine’s beleaguered President Zelensky continues to plead for the help so desperately needed from Western allies in order to continue the fight against Russia’s onslaught. Last week, during a video meeting of Ukrainian fund-raising group UNITED24, he warned again that “if the [U.S.] Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war.” And he topped off the warning with a frightening forecast: “If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. This is a fact.” [Christian Edwards and Maria Kostenko, CNN, April 8, 2024.]

“So what’s new about that?” . . . you may ask. Well, absolutely nothing. We’ve known this for what seems like forever, and tragically, we are in danger of forgetting it, or simply becoming weary and turning our attention to other world problems, of which there are far too many. But the people of Eastern European countries can’t forget or ignore it; it’s too close to home for them. And as evidence, those who can afford to do so are buying second homes in farther, safer locales. A good example: the nouveau riche folks from Poland. And one of their favored destinations: sunny southern Spain.

Remember the old Polish jokes of decades ago . . . the politically incorrect (and really mean) ones that insulted and denigrated the intelligence and capabilities of Polish people? (Example: “What’s the shortest book in the world?” “Polish War Victories.”)

Well, it turns out they were dead wrong, which we should have realized all along. After the breakup of the Soviet Bloc and the collapse of communism in their country, many of the good people of Poland started businesses in the early 1990s and have reaped the rewards in the three decades since. And with the advent of remote work, they are now able to work from anywhere and have begun buying second homes, in warmer climates.

And it’s not just savvy investment or better weather that are attracting them; it is also the war in Ukraine, and the fear that the conflict could spread if Russia is not stopped. They take President Zelensky’s warnings very seriously.

But that’s not the only cause of their nightmares. There was also Donald Trump’s insane declaration in February that if he were to be elected to the U.S. presidency this year, he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any member of NATO that did not pay its proper share of dues. And their own Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, warned last month that Europe is in a “pre-war era.” [CNN, id.]

One realtor in Spain told CNN’s Christian Edwards: “After Trump’s statement and after Tusk’s interview, we got calls — I don’t even know how many — with people asking if they can come within three days and buy the property, and how long the whole procedure takes to get the keys.” [Id.] They’re not wasting any time; they’re scared.

So Poland — or a sizable number of its people — seems to be headed west. They’re not actually leaving yet; but they are preparing for the eventuality. Smart people after all, the Poles.

And they’re not the only ones.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/15/24