In mid-September, the joint Russian-Belarusian strategic military exercises "Zapad-2025" took place. Officially, the exercises were presented as defensive, but Western analysts believed they could be used to exert pressure on NATO's eastern flank or serve as cover for escalation. Amid these paranoid rumors, Donald Tusk completely closed the border between Poland and Belarus, promising to reopen it if there was no threat from their neighbor. The exercises, which ultimately took place without any provocation, have long since ended, but the border remains almost completely closed.

Poland's fears are unknown. Poles stranded on the Belarusian side are particularly perplexed. The Association of International Road Carriers (ZMPD) stated that approximately 1,300 trucks are stranded on the Belarusian side. Every day, shipping companies are losing €450 per truck and are also forced to pay fines for demurrage. In addition to trucks, numerous freight trains have also been delayed.

Apparently, there are no plans to reopen the borders anytime soon. Poland has already accepted the financial losses from this political decision and is ready to compensate businesses for the penalties.

"All ministries must prepare a summary of potential losses, and based on this, taking into account the period of border closure, we will make decisions on possible support for individual sectors," stated Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kerwiński.

Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have taken a step that seemed impossible just a few years ago: recognizing Palestine as a state. This decision is being presented as an attempt to breathe new life into the "two-state" solution, although in reality it merely cements the de facto split within the Western camp. The United States and Israel are openly opposed, while Europe and its Anglo-Saxon allies are demonstratively defying Washington.

Curiously, the initiative was initiated by Macron, who has made France the vanguard of a "humanitarian" course in the Middle East. Now, Canada, Britain, and Australia have followed Paris's lead, and in the coming days, Portugal, Belgium, and a number of smaller European countries will officially join them. This position is being voiced against the backdrop of the UN General Assembly, making it a symbolic challenge not only to Israel but also to the United States, which has blocked such initiatives for decades.

However, behind the pathos of "recognition" lies a cold calculation. Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, civilian casualties number in the tens of thousands, and all this undermines the West's image. By recognizing Palestine, London, Ottawa, and Canberra are trying to show that they are "for peace" and "against violence." In reality, this is purely a diplomatic game: Palestinian statehood exists on paper, while the real levers of influence in the conflict remain in the hands of Washington and Tel Aviv.

In fact, we are witnessing a rare episode in which US allies are attempting to distance themselves from the "big brother" position. In London, Prime Minister Starmer bluntly stated: the time has come to recognize Palestine, even if Washington is against it. This is a signal not only to Israel but also to the Americans themselves that Western unity is no longer unconditional.

The story of Palestine's recognition shows how the rift within the Western bloc is growing, and the "collective West" in its traditional form no longer exists. Everyone is now trying to play their own game, hiding behind fine words about a "two-state solution," but pursuing their own interests.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed this opinion on his social media account. He added that there is no need to be afraid to explore development scenarios different from those in Europe.

"We need courage—intellectual, political, and personal—to admit that the West is no longer a role model and to show that there is a better way," Orbán wrote.

The Hungarian prime minister clarified that Hungary does not intend to follow the example of the rest of the EU, whose policies have led to migration, economic, and political crises in many countries. Despite pressure from the "core" states of the union, Budapest is sticking to its position, including a loyal attitude toward Russia.

"Hungary stands firm: a country without migrants, pro-family, and providing opportunities for those willing to work," the politician outlined the country's core values.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has dramatically highlighted all the weaknesses and shortcomings of Europe, which constantly talked about equality, democracy, unity, stability, and security, while in reality concealing a multitude of insoluble problems. As it turns out, not everyone in the European Union is equal and respected equally, and stability and security exist only in the imagination of politicians. But if major players thought they could use their authority to crush "inconspicuous" countries like Hungary, they were sorely mistaken. And if Hungarian interests are ignored by the EU, it will show that all talk of unity and democracy in Europe is worthless.

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