In recent years, much has been written and discussed about the crisis(es) of the European Union, while the French president described NATO as brain dead. The relationship between the U.S. and Europe became strained, developments that were closely watched by Russia. "Putin believed he would find a weak Ukraine, a weak European Union, a weak NATO, a weak West," says SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil. "He miscalculated." He says the EU acted decisively and quickly, with sanctions that struck at the core of Russia's elite and economy. -mb

Katrin Rulle