Tensions in the East: How to strengthen a common European position vis-à-vis Russia?
Guests
Duncan Allan, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
Piotr Buras, Head of Warsaw Office, ECFR
Madeleine Courant, Russia Research Fellow, Centre for Analysis, Planning and Strategy (CAPS), Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France
Diana Janse, Senior Fellow, Free World Forum, former Swedish Ambassador
Dr Stefan Meister, Head, Programme International Order and Democracy, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Nicolás de Pedro, Head of Research & Senior Fellow, The Institute for Statecraft
Chaired by
Kadri Liik, Senior Policy Fellow, Wider Europe Programme, ECFR
Agenda
Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine plunges Europe into its most serious security crisis since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Fundamental principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers, signed almost fifty years ago in Helsinki, are at stake. And an all-out military invasion of one of the EU’s priority partners has never been more threatening.
Yet, in what stands as a defining moment for the continent, Europeans are struggling to articulate a united response to the crisis. Germany’s ruling coalition is divided over whether to include the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in a sanctions package to deter Russia. And whilst French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for Europeans to define their own security interests, Central and Eastern European countries are pushing for a stronger United States lead.
How to conciliate diverging histories, interests, and political situations in the face of Russian ambitions? This webinar will bring together a collection of EU and British views to see where everyone stands on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.