there are no European great powers,

Especially true regarding economic weight considered by nation, and definitely not true when considered as the EU. This is where Germany is winning the battle by risking the war. Perhaps a union of the (currently) surplus countries, if accompanied by more political and fiscal union, would count as a great power, but how likely is that given the current crop of dick-heads on offer as "leaders"?

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere." (But it helps!)