War and Peace in the 21st Century “A New Era of Geopolitics in Europe: How Can the EU Secure a New Peace in Ukraine?”

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has posed an unprecedented threat to the contemporary European and international security order. It has caused unjustifiable bloodshed, undermined Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and revived the prospects of major conflict in Europe. The European Union and the West have responded with exceptional measures, including a strong package of economic and targeted sanctions to the Kremlin, the provision of military equipment to Ukraine, and the use of common European resources to strengthen the defence capacities of the country.  

Current transformations of the global order also demand a stronger role of the European Union if it still wants to play its part. The renewed centrality of security and defence in Europe has reinvigorated the role of NATO, while concepts such as European strategic autonomy must evolve to add value to multiple areas of the EU’s external action, from geoeconomics and trade to digital and technological transformations, global health, climate policies, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence. In line with the challenges posed by a more geopolitical environment, the EU must acquire the capabilities, align its strategic priorities, and enhance the political will to act as a global player and speak on an equal basis to other global powers. 

CIDOB’s annual War and Peace conference “A New Era of Geopolitics in Europe: How can the EU secure a new peace in Ukraine?” will unfold in two main directions. First, it will analyse the security architecture in Europe after Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the extent to which the EU and other actors can help securing a new peace in the continent, while keeping alive the ambition of European strategic autonomy. Second, it will assess the comeback of a more geopolitical environment and discuss whether the EU is sufficiently equipped to act as an effective and constructive global player.    

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War and Peace in the 21st Century. A New Era of Geopolitics in Europe: How Can the EU Secure a New Peace in Ukraine?