"..seriousness of the situation" reminds me of that German joke.
Its the very final stages of WW2 and Vienna German Army HQ rings up Berlin German Army HQ, "Hello, can you tell us, what is your situation? Berlin responds, "The situation is serious but not desperate. Can you tell us your situation in Vienna?" Vienna replies, "Oh yes of course; the situation here in Vienna is desperate .. but not serious."
Of course this is a little self-parodying amusement for Austrians because the Austrians consider themselves above the mundane Swiss and Germans.. but don't ask me about the swirls and currents between regions and sub-regions of Europe because I really know jack nothing on that subject.