The Russian invasion of Ukraine challenges the EU’s foreign and security policy and already led to unprecedented policy shifts in Brussels and national capitals. Decisions to provide substantial military assistance to Ukraine, or to impose biting sanctions on Russia show a new willingness of the EU to deliver on its promise to increase its strategic autonomy and become a capable international actor. However, the EU’s ability to respond to the new security environment is far from certain. The task to manage its economic dependency on global supply chains has become ever more daunting in a splintering world economy. Its traditional conflict prevention and crisis management approach in the neighbourhood is overshadowed by geopolitics. What is left of the idea of “strategic autonomy” in times when the EU’s traditional diplomatic and civilian approach to international politics is failing and more military muscle is in demand? What kind of EU external action might emerge from the current storm?
This event marks the publication of the 2022 special issue of European Foreign Affairs Review “Strategic Autonomy and the EU as a Global Actor” and is organised in cooperation with the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
A walking lunch will be provided from 12:30 onwards.
