Conflict, leadership and change: Europe’s response to Russian aggression and global shifts

Russia’s war against Ukraine has shattered long-held assumptions about stability and security in Europe. More importantly, it has underlined that an EU that simply tries to react to one crisis after another will not be able to stand at the forefront of a positive (global) change. The fog of war might cloud prospects for the outcome on the battlefield, but it remains clear that the consequences of Russia’s aggression will unfold over many years and affect various aspects of the European and international order. While we cannot predict the future, it is imperative that we anticipate and prepare for the (un)certain.

The meeting focused on debating the implications of the war against Ukraine, possible scenarios and Europe’s strategic options. We also took this opportunity to discuss possible links and implications between the war on Ukraine and the developments in Israel, Gaza and the Middle East.

The expert roundtables aimed to present and discuss the main findings of the following two books:

FIRST SESSION

“Europe and the war in Ukraine: from Russian aggression to new eastern policy”

Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine is one of the most severe security crises Europe and its neighbourhood have faced in decades. Even when the war is over, the destinies of Europe and Ukraine will continue to be tied to each other. In the book Europe and the war in Ukraine FEPS, Karl-Renner-Institut and other partners lay a foundation for the development of a vision among progressives (policymakers, experts and civil society) for the reconstruction and transformation of Ukraine in a way that advances a broader concept of peace, security & democracy (in Europe and beyond). It addresses the question of how to set the basis for substantive democracy and sustainable peace in Ukraine – and, by extension, for greater resilience in Europe.

Read the book by downloading it here.

SECOND SESSION

“Forging Europe’s leadership: global trends, Russian aggression, and the risk of a regressive world”

While continuing to advocate for progressive support and reconstruction of Ukraine as a cornerstone of the new peace and security architecture, the EU should remain committed to strategic foresight as an indispensable element of European policy-making. Forging Europe’s Leadership provides a timely and essential (foresight) analysis for those seeking to understand and shape the path ahead at a critical juncture for European integration. The authors are renowned experts who seek to understand the war’s ramifications over the long-term. The volume improves our capacity to anticipate them and prepare for possible developments. It represents a unique tool for thinking about how Europe can deploy its leadership, preventing the scenario of a regressive world from unfolding.

Read the book by downloading it here.

Among the speakers:

• Maria Maltschnig, Director, Karl-Renner-Institut
• László Andor, Secretary General, FEPS
• Christos Katsioulis, Director, FES Regional Office for International Cooperation
• Petra Bayr, Spokesperson for Foreign Policy & Global Development, SPÖ Austria
• Giovanni Grevi, Special Advisor to FEPS and Senior Fellow, CSDS, Brussels School of Governance
• Elena Lazarou, Acting Head of External Policies Unit, European Parliamentary Research Service & Associate Fellow, Chatham House 

For more information, please contact Thainá Leite, FEPS Project Officer, at thaina.leite@feps-europe.eu.