It’s five days since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, as this is written, and Kyiv and even Kharkiv, 20 miles from the Russian border, remain under Ukrainian control. Contrary to many predictions, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have fallen short of their goals so far, but there can be no certainty about the outcome in Ukraine — or in Russia.

What is clear is that there has been a vast and historic transformation in Europe, especially in its largest nation, Germany, that will continue reverberating, no matter what happens in Ukraine. Old policies have been cast aside as readily as last week’s garbage.