Europe’s Last Chance? What we should do about Trump, China, Ukraine and other challenges of a transactional world

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Guests

  • Timothy Garton Ash, Historian and Professor of European Studies emeritus, Oxford University
  • Jana Kobzova, Co-director, European Security Programme & Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR
  • Janka Oertel, Distinguished Policy Fellow, ECFR

Chaired by

Jana Puglierin, Head of Berlin Office & Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR

Europe today finds itself facing unprecedented global challenges and surrounded by transactional powers. Donald Trump is poised to redefine the global role of the US –  revisiting alliances, challenging NATO, and treating security and trade alike as bargaining chips. China is pressing its advantage in technology, infrastructure, and diplomacy, asking Europeans to choose between principles and pragmatism. Meanwhile, Russia’s war on Ukraine has become the crucible for Europe’s credibility, as military, financial, and political fatigue threaten to undermine the continent’s unity.

This convergence of pressures exposes Europe’s dependence on others for security, its divisions in responding to authoritarian challenges, and its hesitation to act strategically in an increasingly competitive world.

Is this Europe’s last chance to assert itself as a geopolitical actor? Can it defend Ukraine, engage China, and withstand a transactional America without fragmenting? And what will it take to turn vulnerability into resilience – before others decide Europe’s fate for it?

Attendance by invitation only.

Agenda

12.00 – Light lunch and drinks

12.30 – Keynote from Timothy Garton Ash

12.45 – Panel discussion with Timothy Garton Ash, Jana Kobzova and Janka Oertel, moderated by Jana Puglierin