In building a common response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has had to overcome historically different attitudes towards Russia as well as different degrees of dependence. While the war has been raging since February 2022, this panel discussion examined possible next steps in EU policy, addressing defence, energy and sanctions issues. It drew on insights from the newly published TEPSA book “Russia and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals“, which gathers 41 analyses of national debates on policy towards Russia within the EU and in its neighbourhood, written by experts from the TEPSA network and beyond.

In cooperation with the EGMONT Royal Institute for International Relations, TEPSA organised a public debate on the next steps Europe can take in order to respond to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It took place on October 10 at 18:00 CET, in Club Albert (Rue des Petits Carmes 24, 1000, Brussels). Bound by the motto “United in Diversity”, the EU nevertheless suffers from great diversity in the political priorities of its 27 Member States, making it difficult to speak with a single voice especially in the area of foreign policy. In this debate, we seek to find a path forward to build unity from diversity, and level up the EU’s response to Russia’s crime of aggression. The panel was followed by an open Q&A and drinks reception.

SPEAKERS:

• Heidi Hautala MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament;
• Stefano Sannino, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service;
• Paul Schmidt, Secretary-General of the Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGFE) & co-editor of “Russia and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals”;
• Moderator: Jim Cloos, TEPSA Secretary-General and Senior Associate Fellow at the Egmont Institute.

With this event, TEPSA and the Egmont Institute aimed to provide an overview of how differing historical, economic and political relationships with Russia have impacted the EU’s ability to engage in a uniform response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The event will explore key challenges and opportunities in relation to building a strong and uniform European position towards Russia and discuss the future options for EU policy towards Russia.