In the history of Russian and Western thought, the past and present of European civilization have long been the subject of unremitting attention. In recent decades, both in Russia and in the West, works have appeared that continue the traditions of historical and philosophical understanding of the process of development of Western European civilization. Among them is the book by Doctor of Law, diplomat, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Karin Kneissl, “Requiem for Europe”, published in 2024. The book, written on the basis of the author’s personal experience and a deep understanding of the trends of the “movement of history”, shows the process of degradation of the West, which is based on the laws of the course of history, as well as the loss of “the very essence of European thinking”. It would be wrong to compare Kneissl’s book with many analytical publications caused by the need to respond to current European policy. It should be inscribed, first of all, in the intellectual context of the era, which in the 21st century is represented by a number of names of thinkers and politicians whose influence cannot be underestimated when talking about the development of the tradition of “European studies”. Therefore, the main characteristics and assessments given in K.Knasl’s book are related to the key conclusions set out in the works of A.A.Zinoviev, K.Koker, I.Krastev, K.A.Svasyan and some other famous philosophers and political scientists. K.Kneissl’s book is considered as a kind of intellectual basis for discussing the topic of the “Decline of Europe” set by O.Spengler, but in the new realities of the existence of European civilization.