In the article, Bartkiewicz reflects on Poland's entry into the European Union on May 1, 2004, a time when the global political landscape seemed secure under principles of democracy and international law. He evokes Francis Fukuyama's 'end of history' hypothesis, contrasting it with the reality of the geopolitical tensions that have emerged since then, particularly the rise of radical Islam and threats posed by terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, suggesting that these past challenges fostered a misleading sense of security in the world.

Bartkiewicz critiques the simplistically optimistic view of global interdependence, where conflicts appeared to be relegated to history books. He emphasizes that the landscape has significantly changed, especially with the resurgence of imperialistic ambitions reflected in Putin's Russia. The author contrasts the world of 2004 with the current global situation, where the idea of a peaceful and cooperative international community has been challenged, indicating that past assumptions about the permanence of peace and collaboration were overly optimistic.

The article poses crucial questions regarding Europe’s role in this new geopolitical context, suggesting that the EU must rethink its identity and strategies in response to escalating tensions and assertive nationalisms. Bartkiewicz urges a reevaluation of what the EU symbolizes and calls for a proactive stance in adapting to the complex realities of the modern world, indicating that a departure from the original vision of the EU might be necessary for its survival and relevance in the face of emerging threats.