A hidden driver may be the worsening energy insecurities for all continental European regions.
The French have lost access to their nuclear resources from their Africa ex-colonies very recently. Wagner has driven them out, claiming several gold mines in the process as well. The French would buy their energy resources at 10% of real market value and now must pay 100% value. They're about 75% dependant on nuclear energy. The midget in charge of France is posturing for war with Russia for this reason alone, although everyone knows that they can't take on the Bear.
The French' humourless cousins, the Germans, are living the green nightmare. Much gas meant for the European mainland came through Ukraine and several key terminals were bombed the past few weeks. They've no way of supplying both industry and civilian needs coming winter. They're not in a position to go to war and are looking for a diplomatic solution.
The other regions on the continent have no independent energy policy anymore and will either pay for Germany and France, leading to social unrest, or try to save themselves, leading to political instability on the continent.
As a whole, the continent is completely unable to force concessions currently from Russia for cheap energy and there's no alternatives available. Widespread unrest is in the horizon and won't abate until the American elections are done.
Just my 2 cents.