Beyond the battlefield: Europe’s long-term strategy for Ukraine
Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand and Jana Kobzova to discuss ECFR’s new European Security programme and the war in Ukraine
Experts & Staff
Camille Grand
ECFR council member
Secretary general of ASD Europe
Special adviser to ECFR’s European Security programme
Areas of expertise
Defence and security policy, NATO and EU common defence and security policy, armament and technology, nuclear and missile defence policy
Languages
English, French
Biography
Since September 2025, Camille Grand is the Secretary General of ASD Europe (Aerospace, Security, and Defence Industries Association for Europe), the Brussels based trade association bringing together 4000 aerospace and defence companies from Europe and supporting the competitive development of the industry at both European and global levels.
He was a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (2022-25) where he led the organisation’s work on defence and technologies in European security. At ECFR, his research focused on the requirements for defending Europe with less America, and on the long term impact of the war in Ukraine on European security.
Previously, he worked as Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment at NATO (2016-22), piloting NATO’s work in capability delivery, missile defence, and armament and technology cooperation. He also was the director of the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS, 2008-16), the leading French think tank on defence and security studies.
He also held senior positions in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as head for disarmament and multilateral affairs (2006-08), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as deputy diplomatic adviser to the Minister (2002-06). He has also been a senior adviser on nuclear policy at the French MoD Policy branch and worked as a researcher inter alia at the EU Institute of Security Studies (EU-ISS) and the Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI).
He is an associate professor at the Paris School of International Affairs (Sciences Po Paris), and also lectured at the Ecole nationale d’administration (ENA) and the French army academy. He has also served on several independent expert groups and boards for the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and the French government. His expertise includes defence and security policy, NATO and EU common defence and security policy, armament and technology, nuclear and missile defence policy, disarmament and non-proliferation.
NATO summit 2025: How Europe can secure its future
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand, former NATO assistant secretary general and ECFR distinguished policy fellow, for a 15-minute Emergency Room episode…
Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine
Together with the Ukrainians, Europeans should begin—now—to draw up a “beyond the horizon” plan for Ukraine in readiness for a ceasefire or even a peace deal
12
May
European Power
The EU-UK summit in the context of Trump 2.0
The much-anticipated EU-UK summit on 19 May, expected to include a defense pact, will be an important step in the reset between London and Brussels, with the conflict in Ukraine having been a powerful vehicule for a rapprochment. At the same time, the UK is desperate to maintain its ‘special relationship’ with the US, to also best…
Security ties and political trade-offs: Inside the EU-UK deal
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand and Ivan Rogers to unpack what the recent EU-UK summit means for Britain and Europe
Channelling security: A new era for EU-UK defence cooperation
A new defence pact between Britain and the EU could establish a framework for deeper, long-term collaboration. For it to work well, London and Brussels will need to iron out six key issues
29
May
European Power
Brave New Disorder: The Trumpian Shock to the World and Europe
This high-level event, co-hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, will explore challenges facing Europe and the world amidst President Trump’s return to office, drawing on ECFR’s latest research and insights from distinguished policy-makers, analysts, academics and thought leaders as well as the cultural sector
Taiwan’s balancing act: Keeping the US in, China out, and domestic technology superior
Amid the global political turmoil, Taipei is aiming to keep Washington onside. But the arrival of the second Trump administration presents a parallel opportunity for Europe and Taiwan to deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest
Porcupine play: How Taiwan defends its democracy
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand and Janka Oertel to unpack Taiwan’s strategic calculus amid rising global tensions, and Europe’s role in the Indo-Pacific
European Power
Warsaw European Conversation
Polityka Insight and ECFR invite you to join us for the livestream of this year’s Warsaw European Conversation. At Polityka Insight and ECFR, we believe there is an urgent need to engage in a critical conversation about the risks and trends shaping the European project. For this reason, we invite you to join forces, and participate in the…
Publications
Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine
Together with the Ukrainians, Europeans should begin—now—to draw up a “beyond the horizon” plan for Ukraine in readiness for a ceasefire or even a peace deal
Defending Europe with less America
Shifting US priorities and a degrading security environment – not to mention the possibility of a second Trump presidency – mean Europeans finally have to take more responsibility for their own security
Articles
Channelling security: A new era for EU-UK defence cooperation
A new defence pact between Britain and the EU could establish a framework for deeper, long-term collaboration. For it to work well, London and Brussels will need to iron out six key issues
Taiwan’s balancing act: Keeping the US in, China out, and domestic technology superior
Amid the global political turmoil, Taipei is aiming to keep Washington onside. But the arrival of the second Trump administration presents a parallel opportunity for Europe and Taiwan to deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest
Ukraine negotiations: How Europeans can be at the table, not on the menu
Donald Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin, and they are ready to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Already, the US has ceded to two major Russian demands. How Europeans respond is crucial for the future of Ukraine and of the continent’s security
Keeping Paris in: How Europeans should respond to France’s political turmoil
French prime minister Michel Barnier has been ousted following a vote of no confidence. European governments need to demonstrate that, despite France’s internal political turmoil, they maintain a united front in foreign and security policy
Staying power: Securing peace in Ukraine while balancing European interests
European governments’ hesitation to pursue strategic security goals in Ukraine risks leaving them absent from peace negotiations, undermining both Kyiv’s position and Europe’s role in shaping a stable European security order
Between the lines: Monitoring Putin’s response to Ukraine’s long-range missiles
Ukraine has carried out its first strikes inside Russian territory with Western-made, long-range missiles; Vladimir Putin responded by launching a new type of weapon. NATO allies must now send a clear deterrence message without following Russia’s escalatory rhetoric
Inventing NATO 3.0: Why Rutte should bridge the EU and the US for a stronger alliance
NATO’s changing of the guard takes place while war rages in Ukraine and as the future of transatlantic relations remains uncertain. It will take all of new secretary general Mark Rutte’s skill to establish a stable NATO 3.0
Anatomy of a close call: The aftermath of Macron’s great gamble
To form a workable government after the snap election, French parties will need to make coalitions and concessions. But such cooperation runs contrary to French political culture, and the likely divisions risk weakening France’s voice on the international and European stage
France’s fallout: The foreign policy consequences of the far right’s ascent
The far-right National Rally is leading the polls ahead of the second round of the French election. Its success would have inevitable consequences for French foreign policy
Opening shots: What to make of the European Defence Industrial Strategy
The European Commission’s new defence industrial strategy sets out to strengthen the EU’s defence industry through common and local procurements. But it will need both financial and political buy-in to succeed
Podcasts
Beyond the battlefield: Europe’s long-term strategy for Ukraine
Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand and Jana Kobzova to discuss ECFR’s new European Security programme and the war in Ukraine
NATO summit 2025: How Europe can secure its future
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand, former NATO assistant secretary general and ECFR distinguished policy fellow, for a 15-minute Emergency Room episode…
Security ties and political trade-offs: Inside the EU-UK deal
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand and Ivan Rogers to unpack what the recent EU-UK summit means for Britain and Europe
Porcupine play: How Taiwan defends its democracy
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand and Janka Oertel to unpack Taiwan’s strategic calculus amid rising global tensions, and Europe’s role in the Indo-Pacific
Live from the Munich Security Conference: Europe’s wake-up call
In Munich, Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke, Camille Grand, Janka Oertel and Jana Puglierin to unpack this year’s security conference
Forging peace: Europe’s role in Ukraine’s future
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand, Jana Kobzova, and Nicu Popescu to discuss European security guarantees for Ukraine and the path to sustainable peace
East meets West in Ankara: Inside the prisoner swap with Russia
The prisoner exchange between the West and Russia last week was the largest swap since the end of the cold war. At Turkey’s Ankara airport,…
NATO at 75: The future of European defence
Vessela Tcherneva welcomes Camille Grand, Camille Lons, Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, and Jana Puglierin to discuss the 75th NATO summit, and how Europe can defend itself with less America
How Europe can prepare for America’s withdrawal
At the Munich Security Conference, Mark Leonard welcomes Arancha González Laya, Camille Grand and Jana Puglierin to understand how Europeans can prepare for a second Trump presidency
A new defence strategy for Europe
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand to discuss the future of European defence
Events
29
May
European Power
Brave New Disorder: The Trumpian Shock to the World and Europe
This high-level event, co-hosted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, will explore challenges facing Europe and the world amidst President Trump’s return to office, drawing on ECFR’s latest research and insights from distinguished policy-makers, analysts, academics and thought leaders as well as the cultural sector
12
May
European Power
The EU-UK summit in the context of Trump 2.0
The much-anticipated EU-UK summit on 19 May, expected to include a defense pact, will be an important step in the reset between London and Brussels, with the conflict in Ukraine having been a powerful vehicule for a rapprochment. At the same time, the UK is desperate to maintain its ‘special relationship’ with the US, to also best…
European Power
Warsaw European Conversation
Polityka Insight and ECFR invite you to join us for the livestream of this year’s Warsaw European Conversation. At Polityka Insight and ECFR, we believe there is an urgent need to engage in a critical conversation about the risks and trends shaping the European project. For this reason, we invite you to join forces, and participate in the…
United States
Dormant NATO: Future Prospects and Challenges
Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown how much the Europeans are still dependent on the US to ensure their security, despite all the talk of “strategic autonomy”. Even though Europeans have significantly increased their defence spending over the past two years, there is still a massive transatlantic imbalance in NATO. The potential re-election of Donald…
European Security
Who controls the Russian military?
What are the political dynamics surrounding the Russian military? Exploring potential scenarios for Russia’s civil-military development and implications for NATO and Europe
European Power
European defence: Expectations and demands of non-EU partners
This event is part of the German Forum on Security Policy, organised by the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS).
In the media
Camille Grand on the Europe and Trump’s tension surrounding the Greenland and the lack of cooperation among the EU member states
Camille Grand on the necessity for Europe to reduce its dependence on the US in light of the tensions surrounding Greenland
Camille Grand on US security guarantees for Ukraine
Camille Grand on the outcomes of the Alaska summit
Camille Grand on European leaders’ response to the Alaska summit