The power of control: How the EU can shape the new era of strategic export restrictions
Amid the US-China strategic competition, the EU must develop a new strategic technology doctrine and upgrade its export control policy
Featured
All-weather allies: Ukraine’s counteroffensive and the coming winter
With less than two months remaining until winter begins, Ukrainian forces are working to secure better positions for the 2024 campaign. Western allies can help them prepare
Star tech enterprise: Emerging technologies in Russia’s war on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has featured many of the technological advances the world has made over the past decades. If Europeans are serious about their defence capabilities, they need to learn from this use of emerging technology on both sides of the war
The Ukrainian counteroffensive: Why Western allies should keep calm and carry on
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is contending with a well-prepared enemy. Western allies need to remain patient as they equip Ukraine to put continued pressure on Russian defences
25 May
Battle of narratives: Europe in the face of Russian cultural war
The discussion, organized by the Rome Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and LUISS School of Government, features the presentation of ECFR’s 2023 European Sentiment Compass
4 May
Embracing the Long War: Scenari per Europa & Italia
La conferenza è l’evento finale del progetto “Rome Foreign Policy Club: Gruppo di riflessione strategica su Italia, multilateralismo e interconnessioni”, con focus sugli scenari globali e per il Mediterraneo allargato dopo l’invasione dell’Ucraina
On the outside looking in: Why NATO should invite Ukraine to join the alliance at the Vilnius summit
NATO should offer an invitation to Ukraine to join to create the conditions for a lasting peace
Democratic defence: How Italy can lead the fight against Russian disinformation
Italy’s politics and social media remain vulnerable to Russian influence. But opportunities exist to strengthen itself for the future.
12 Jul
China and Ukraine: The Chinese debate about Russia’s war and its meaning for the world
How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—and the conduct of the war since then—changed China’s support for Russia and its wider outlook on the world? What lessons can Europe learn from China’s relationship to Russia?
Compromise at Vilnius: Ukraine’s path to NATO membership
A form of membership offer to Ukraine at NATO’s Vilnius summit will acquire an inexorable momentum of its own
Keeping America close, Russia down, and China far away: How Europeans navigate a competitive world
European citizens are adapting slowly to the new geopolitical landscape. But leaders have an opportunity to build public consensus on Europe’s approach to China, the US, and Russia
Publications
Star tech enterprise: Emerging technologies in Russia’s war on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has featured many of the technological advances the world has made over the past decades. If Europeans are serious about their defence capabilities, they need to learn from this use of emerging technology on both sides of the war
Democratic defence: How Italy can lead the fight against Russian disinformation
Italy’s politics and social media remain vulnerable to Russian influence. But opportunities exist to strengthen itself for the future.
Keeping America close, Russia down, and China far away: How Europeans navigate a competitive world
European citizens are adapting slowly to the new geopolitical landscape. But leaders have an opportunity to build public consensus on Europe’s approach to China, the US, and Russia
The power of control: How the EU can shape the new era of strategic export restrictions
Amid the US-China strategic competition, the EU must develop a new strategic technology doctrine and upgrade its export control policy
Culture clash: Russia, Ukraine, and the fight for the European public
Russia’s war on Ukraine is a test of European values. The way European governments respond is critical for European sentiment, unity, and solidarity with Ukraine
Decarbonisation nations: How EU climate diplomacy can save the world
The EU’s status as a global leader on decarbonisation is in uncertain territory. It needs a new approach to climate diplomacy, centred in a broader political and economic relationship with its partners worldwide
Keeping the lights on: The EU’s energy relationships since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The EU’s ‘friends in need’ have supported it through the energy crisis. The bloc must now balance buying more gas with helping supplier states develop clean energy.
Steppe change: How Russia’s war on Ukraine is reshaping Kazakhstan
Domestic unrest and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine left Kazakhstan in a precarious position. The EU should devise an approach that encourages and guides the country to genuine domestic transformation.
Fragile unity: Why Europeans are coming together on Ukraine (and what might drive them apart)
Recent polling for ECFR suggests that Europeans have come closer together in their support for Ukraine. But the factors driving this unity are fragile, contingent, and may not last
United West, divided from the rest: Global public opinion one year into Russia’s war on Ukraine
New polling for ECFR reveals the West is consolidating – while facing an increasingly post-Western world, in which powers such as India and Turkiye are readier than ever to act independently
Articles
All-weather allies: Ukraine’s counteroffensive and the coming winter
With less than two months remaining until winter begins, Ukrainian forces are working to secure better positions for the 2024 campaign. Western allies can help them prepare
The Ukrainian counteroffensive: Why Western allies should keep calm and carry on
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is contending with a well-prepared enemy. Western allies need to remain patient as they equip Ukraine to put continued pressure on Russian defences
On the outside looking in: Why NATO should invite Ukraine to join the alliance at the Vilnius summit
NATO should offer an invitation to Ukraine to join to create the conditions for a lasting peace
Compromise at Vilnius: Ukraine’s path to NATO membership
A form of membership offer to Ukraine at NATO’s Vilnius summit will acquire an inexorable momentum of its own
The Ukraine war and European identity
With the war in Ukraine well into its second year, European politicians from across the political spectrum are still eager to show their support for the country. But a battle for the soul of Europe is brewing beneath the surface, and next year’s European Parliament elections could serve as its first battleground.
Population-centric: Lessons from Russia’s hybrid war in Moldova
Russian political proxies are weaponising protests in Moldova, escalating Russia’s hybrid war in the country. Despite optimistic appearances, Moldovan authorities are ill-prepared to face this crisis.
Resist and reform: Ukraine’s democracy after a year of war
Ukraine’s EU candidacy means the country not only has to preserve its democratic institutions in the face of all-out war – but also reform and strengthen them
Alligator arms: A proactive strategy for Ukraine’s military support
Western military support helped sustain Ukraine through the first year of the war. But if Western allies want a Ukrainian victory, they need to adopt a more proactive strategy
Brothers (not yet) in arms: China-Russia relations a year into the war in Ukraine
China’s ‘peace plan’ for the war in Ukraine merely underlines its Russia-friendly perspective and desire to protect its own interests
A tribunal like no other: Prosecuting Russia’s crime of aggression in Ukraine
A special tribunal for the crime of aggression could help secure justice for Ukrainians harmed by Russia’s invasion. Such a court would have three major implications
Podcasts
United West, divided from the rest: Global public opinion one year into Russia’s war on Ukraine
Mark Leonard, Timothy Garton Ash, and Ivan Krastev discuss the main findings of ECFR’s latest opinion poll
The Leopards are free!
Mark Leonard, Camille Grand, Gustav Gressel, Jana Puglierin, and Jeremy Shapiro discuss what the Leopard 2 decision means for the war in Ukraine
The Clash of Orders with Fyodor Lukyanov on Russia
Mark Leonard is joined by Fyodor Lukyanov to learn more about the Russian perspective on global order
Survive and thrive: A European plan to support Ukraine in the long war against Russia
Mark Leonard is joined by ECFR’s Piotr Buras, Gustav Gressel, Kadri Liik, and Jeremy Shapiro to describe and debate the potential military, security, and economic aspects of the long-war plan
Peace versus Justice: The coming European split over the war in Ukraine
New ECFR research reveals that Europe’s remarkable unity in the early days of the war is under threat from an emerging split – between those who want peace as soon as possible and those who favour justice for Ukraine
European solidarity and the Russia-Ukraine war
How sustainable is European unity? And what scenarios of solidarity or division can be expected in the next few months?
New era, new alliance: NATO, Sweden, and Finland
What can Sweden and Finland offer NATO? And are they worried about the Kremlin’s threats to attack their countries?
The Middle East and the Ukraine war: energy supplies, nuclear deals and regional tensions
On location at the Doha Forum 2022, Mark Leonard and his guests discuss Western energy sanctions on Russia and why is there a reluctance in the Gulf states and the West to cooperate on energy supplies
Ukrainian identity and Russian strategy
What concepts define Ukrainian history and identity, and how is this important in understanding Ukraine’s response to the Russian invasion?
War in Ukraine: a stale-mate for the West and NATO’s future?
How should Europe react to Russian loss or indeed victory in this war? And what are the possible ramifications for the West?
Events
12 Jul
China and Ukraine: The Chinese debate about Russia’s war and its meaning for the world
How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—and the conduct of the war since then—changed China’s support for Russia and its wider outlook on the world? What lessons can Europe learn from China’s relationship to Russia?
7 Jun
Annual Council Meeting 2023
The Annual Council Meeting 2023 took place on 7-8 June in Stockholm
25 May
Battle of narratives: Europe in the face of Russian cultural war
The discussion, organized by the Rome Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and LUISS School of Government, features the presentation of ECFR’s 2023 European Sentiment Compass
4 May
Embracing the Long War: Scenari per Europa & Italia
La conferenza è l’evento finale del progetto “Rome Foreign Policy Club: Gruppo di riflessione strategica su Italia, multilateralismo e interconnessioni”, con focus sugli scenari globali e per il Mediterraneo allargato dopo l’invasione dell’Ucraina
28 Feb
Russia’s war against Ukraine one year on: Views from Central Europe
Russia’s devastating war against Ukraine on European soil has been raging for one year now. With tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives lost, the country is fighting…
14 Dec
From surviving to thriving: How Europe should support Ukraine in the long war against Russia
To brace for a “Long War”, Europe needs to be ready to take its lessons learned from more than half a year of the war to heart and deliver enduring support to Ukraine
20 Apr
India-China Luncheon Lectures – Ukraine and India’s great power relations
In our sixth India-China Luncheon Lecture, Professor C. Raja Mohan will discuss the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine on India’s relations with China, the US, and the EU.
1 Feb
European security order on the brink: The Russia crisis and what next
West do prevent an aggression against Ukraine? What does Kyiv expect from the EU and NATO? What is the future of the European security order? What are the perspectives of the key EU member states and Ukraine?
In the media
In this interview, Kirill Shamiev explains the possible implications of Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s Black Sea navy in Crimea
Ukraine realizes that in the last months, they’re not bordering Poland, they’re bordering Polish elections
Planning for the long war on the civilian front also means putting mental health on a par with physical health. This is especially important for the most vulnerable populations.
David Miliband reports from his recent trip to Kyiv
They are prepared to lose a drone that may cost one or two thousand euros, so that less ammunition has to be fired
Ulrike Franke on the goals and on the lessons for the West behind the use of drones in the war in Ukraine
Ulrike Franke explains if and how decisive the role of drones can be in the war in Ukraine