The approval of long-range strikes by the US & co likely means that Ukraine’s position was getting even worse than expected.
Furthermore, it became clear from the leak of German military communications that it would be German soldiers who would have to operate the weapons.
All in all this seems like a case of Scholz knowing Germany’s capabilities and risks and the public overestimating the former while dismissing the latter.
This decision might have been made earlier if the election hadn't been in the way.
On the other hand with Germany and the EU acting so tough, Russia might believe them, so some military investment is probably wise.
Looks like an attempt to project your own views onto people you don't know.
Meanwhile, to the extent that we do have a recent, official statement from the European hive mind -- it points in the exact opposite direction of the sentiment you are attempting to assign to it, saying that "Russia is systematically attacking European security architecture". And in terms of ideology, it specifically cites the Russian regime's "reckless revisionism".
Another interesting fact: many countries, including in Eastern Europe were and are dependent on Russian gas. Ever heard of the Yamal pipeline?
Merkel had a BBC interview recently where she quite frankly said that France and Germany blocked Ukraine from joining NATO to avoid precisely such a war and that the gas deals were done for the benefit of the German economy and to get closer to Russia, a major power: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e8y1qly52o Basic Realpolitik which has become unfashionable in the age of constant moral outrage about race, gender, immigration and pretty much everything.
That being said, Russia is dangerous and preparing is wise, especially now that we in the EU massively pissed them off.