Please join the Europe Center for a public panel on “Can the EU become a reliable defense actor?” This event will take place virtually on Wednesday, February 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. ET.

Ukraine’s fight for its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s full-scale invasion continues into a third year. Since the start of the war, the European Union (EU) and its members have provided world-leading military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The bloc’s member states have also significantly increased their defense spending. The EU for its part is developing new defense initiatives to boost its defense integration, industrial production and capacity. Yet much more work will be required for the EU to step up in this space, and questions remain whether the EU can become a reliable defense actor, particularly as Ukraine’s future hangs in the balance.

Against this backdrop, the Europe Center hosts an expert panel to discuss the future of EU defense. This event is part of the Atlantic Council Europe Center’s Transatlantic Horizons series, which seeks to outline a productive relationship for the United States and Europe for 2025 and beyond.

This discussion will take place on Zoom and will be broadcast on YouTube, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook. To receive event information, please register on the right. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to watch the event.

Featuring

Max Bergmann
Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Sophia Besch
Fellow, Europe Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Luigi Scazzieri
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for European Reform

Georgina Wright
Resident Senior Fellow and Deputy Director for International Studies
Institut Montaigne

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