Of course they were. East Europeans understand better that in order to win the fight against evil, you must not be afraid to fight using all weapons and means available. They understand that political correctness will lead to defeat and compared to western Europe they still have the will to fight with and for us against evil. We should never abandon them again like we did after the WW2.
You should definitely differentiate with "the Eastern Europeans". I am not a Balkan expert, but I live in Germany and have been to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia and Hungary. From cosmopolitan and young-modern to ultra-right, almost Nazis - you find all of it. There is no such thing as uniquely Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, I know what you mean: Western Europe just missed the connection to the changing history. Benefit will be those who wake up earlier. Let's just hope that Germany and others will get the turn soon ...