Europeans are generally not stupid guys.

When they need something (read: profitable), they are capable of a lot.

They will come up with the most incredible explanation, find a logical excuse, pack the most bitter pill in a colorful bright wrapper made of sweet lies.

And at the right time they will change their clothes on time - depending on where the wind is blowing.

There is one constant: the overwhelming majority of leading European newspapers will not write well about us, more often it will be nasty or ironically laughing tone. 

This week the context was special - Navalny was replaced by a suspended sentence with a real one.

And the next morning, having brewed a cup of coffee, I took the Belgian newspaper Le Soir in anticipation of the usual hysteria on the topic of the verdict, especially since the European leaders had already gone over the topic and spoke in their usual indignant manner.

I cast an absent-minded, still sleepy glance at the newspaper - and I almost drop it, and my coffee, and my jaw.

The headline on the front page reads: "Russian vaccine at the doors of Europe."

A photo of our vaccine and in the caption the question: "Since Belgium will not use the AstraZeneca vaccine for those over 55, what if it is replaced by the Russian analogue" Sputnik V ", whose effectiveness is 91.6%?"

I scroll further - in the heading of cartoons, a bewildered woman is depicted, who took Sputnik from all the vaccines on the shelf and says: "It's curious: as soon as it's Russian, we are careful."

There is no criticism or ridicule in the lyrics.

The main Belgian TV channel generally talked about how to pronounce it correctly: "Sputnik" Vi "or" Sputnik-5 ".

We briefly told the story of those who invented the vaccine, returned to the times of the USSR, remembered our space successes.

And they ended with an enchanting phrase that they want to pay tribute to the Gamaleya Institute, therefore they will call "Sputnik Vee" - for the vaccine or for the Russian victory (Victoire), whichever suits best. 

It's damn good to read that, but don't flatter yourself.

If they write that, then it should be profitable.

It looks like they need our vaccine.

Because the situation in the EU is far from the sanitary and commercial paradise that the heads of European institutions dreamed for themselves last year - to buy billions of doses, fully provide for their population, and sell the surplus to third countries.

There is not even enough for myself.

Belgium at the beginning of February took the penultimate place in terms of vaccination rates.

France had the latter. 

The Belgians in Europe are reputed to be the most skillful negotiators, along with the Swiss.

But the Frenchman is egocentric, important, proud.

Each has its own Napoleon, because for themselves they are the center of the world, an example and the height of civilization for everyone.

Let's remember what their reaction was in August last year, when they were not the first vaccines in the world, but we.

Health Minister Olivier Veran said the following: "I don't think you can trust this Russian vaccine."

The authors of the articles followed the topic, competing in eloquence.

Libération: “Russian vaccine statement: this is completely irresponsible”, La Croix: “Russian vaccine: we are in the register of propaganda, not science”, L'Obs: “Russian vaccine against COVID-19: this statement is not based on any scientific information ".

Again nasty things, again doubts.

Even thoughts did not admit that our scientists with such a gigantic experience behind them could in the shortest possible time invent a conveniently stored and so effective vaccine.

At one time, France gave the world Louis Pasteur - today she could not offer anything of her own against the coronavirus.

The institute of that same Pasteur abandoned the idea of ​​making a vaccine, because all the results were inconclusive.

The world-class French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi first moved the release date to next year, and then also abandoned the case.

That is, France, unexpectedly for itself, found itself overboard in the vaccination race - on the sidelines - and had to stand with an outstretched hand and wait for someone to sell her the coveted substance.

This is such a pharmacological surrender, the loss of sanitary independence.

Can you imagine what kind of withdrawal they have now?

Real, physical. 

Indeed, in August they only laughed at us, but it turned out that they were writing nonsense.

And what is most terrible for them, now they need to admit it.

Because the context demands it.

They are downright twisted, everything inside turns upside down, and the fingers do not obey when they write these words, that the Russian vaccine turns out to be good, our scientists are, in fact, geniuses, and indeed all these first cries were absolutely groundless.

Le Figaro, who recently spoke very violently and in detail about Navalny, and she grudgingly squeezed out that Russia had returned to the top league even in the field of scientific research and that there was nowhere to go - the French needed a vaccine, no matter what color the needle was.

Here they are still being cunning, because they are now smashing the Chinese to pieces.

But it would not be the French, if they simply resigned themselves, because they still screwed up their opinion that for Russia the vaccine has become a new ideological weapon in the world. 

But it doesn't matter, the right ground for the media has already been prepared - and the comments of the French government have come.

It turns out that Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is not at all opposed to purchases.

As soon as possible.

There were other positive comments from politicians.

The point was made by Macron himself, who said that he had already sent his people to negotiate with Russia on purchases.

Next, the Greeks wrote that their country should immediately receive "Sputnik" in order to save its tourist season.

The Germans talked about the triumph of the Russian vaccine, they want to produce it at home, the Hungarians are already using it (for which they have been sneezed for a long time, and now they have also fallen silent and even used it as an example), the Spaniards expressed their readiness to use it.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wants to be pricked by "Sputnik", Italy is urging the European Union so that the process of issuing permission for our use will be given according to an accelerated procedure.

And the head of European diplomacy goes to Moscow, where he himself, without coercion, says how happy our vaccine has shown such brilliant results.

The topic of Navalny is a little sidelined, and he again assures that not a single EU country has expressed a desire to impose new sanctions against Russia.

Softens rough corners, bows, creates a positive background in negotiations, advocates a constructive dialogue.

Because they need it now.

For me, we shouldn't expect any praise or criticism from them at all, we need to competently, correctly and conscientiously do our job, including in the issue of vaccinating our population.

But it is still funny to observe with your own eyes and clearly see how quickly the Europeans are ready to give up their usual negative, contrived illusions about everything related to Russia, for their own good.

The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.