Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted dramatic changes in the European Union. Indeed, the EU is financing military assistance to a country at war – in Europe. It has radically rethought its policy towards Russia, including the formulation of several packages of unprecedented sanctions. And it is reorganizing, at great cost, its energy supply.
Power dynamics within the EU have been upended. Member states formerly occupied by the Soviet Union, particularly Poland, now have a stronger voice; their mistrust towards Russia has been vindicated by Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war. Moreover, their position as front-line states make them strategically more important.
The EU candidate status awarded to Ukraine could further push the union’s center of gravity to the east, even destabilizing the powerful Franco-German tandem and their leading role in the EU. It presents a deep challenge to Germany, whose policies self-understanding have been questioned by the war and its consequences.
The discussion will be moderated by Sylvie Kauffmann (Editorial Director, Le Monde; and Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy).
Speakers:
- Piotr Buras (Senior Policy Fellow and Head of Warsaw Office at European Council on Foreign Relations, ECFR),
- Ralf Fücks (Executive Director of Centre for Liberal Modernity)
- Thomas Gomart (Director of French Institute for International Relations, IFRI)
Questions include:
- How real is this shift from west to east?
- Will member states remain united over Russia?
- Can the Franco-German relationship survive?
- Which lessons will Germany draw from this Zeitenwende?
- Can Poland become a leading European power?
This will be an interactive evening with time for the audience to contribute to the conversation. A light meal and drinks will be served
Please RSVP by 10 November 2022.
