Over the past three years, the war in Ukraine has taught Europe a truth that foreign policy often forgets: the power of arms is only part of power itself. The other—less visible but no less decisive—is diplomatic influence.

In a continent where borders are no longer guaranteed by treaties or military divisions alone, the words of the European Union can have significant effects.

This is no paradox. A study by Ala Alrababah (Bocconi), together with Stephanie Wright and Rachel Myrick (Duke University), published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, shows that official statements by foreign actors in secessionist conflicts can deeply shape public opinion.

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