A Geopolitical Caesura: Rethinking the Future of European Security

Europe is experiencing its third geopolitical caesura in less than ten years: in 2014, Russia violated international law and shook the very foundations of the Charter of Paris when it annexed Crimea. Two years later, in 2016, Donald Trump moved into the White House. At the end of June 2016, a majority of UK citizens voted to take Europe’s largest military power out of the European Union (EU). Since 24 February 2022, a war has been raging in Europe – one that Russia is waging against Ukraine. It quickly became clear to the EU Member States that they would have to change their view of their own defence policy. But how can the EU27 manage to improve their military capabilities in a coordinated manner?  And what other foreign and security policy instruments must the EU now strengthen in order to restore and guarantee security in Europe on a permanent basis?

This paper resulted from a workshop at the final conference of the 10^th Genshagen Forum for Franco-German Dialogue with the topic »Driving force in a watershed moment: France and Germany in a changing Europe«. The Genshagen Forum for French-German Dialogue has been organized since 2010. Considering the numerous challenges that Europe is facing, Germany and France must take responsibility regarding the future of the EU and join forces for the development of shared strategies. The Genshagen Forum actively encourages this process by promoting a results-oriented dialogue between mid-career leaders from both countries.