When Rules Collapse: Europe’s Strategic Options

Europolicy NGO, in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation Prague, would like to cordially invite you to an expert online event titled: When Rules Collapse: Europe’s Strategic Options.

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WHEN: May 20, 2026 | 9:30 AM

WHERE: Online via ZOOM

REGISTRATION: Google form or by email at events@eubrief.sk

FACEBOOK EVENT: Here

LANGUAGE: English

ORGANISERS: euBrief.sk, EuroPolicy, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague

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Outline of the debate:
As authoritarian leaders and populist strongmen are dismantling the pillars of a world order that has preserved relative peace in Europe for over 70 years, a critical question emerges: can international law and multilateral institutions survive the era of Trump and Putin, who increasingly view the world through spheres of influence?

The EU appears increasingly sidelined in this power struggle, risking a future shaped by the goodwill of aggressive actors and “the rule of the strongest”.

The online debate will address:

• Do we witness the collapse of the rules-based international order, and if so, what might replace it?
• How can the EU – as an inherently rules- and cooperation-based project – not only withstand these new external pressures but regain strategic weight?
• What do these shifts mean for the war in Ukraine, the prospects for peace, and the future of European security?
• Direct downstream effects of wars and conflict: how can a “human-centric” approach to geopolitics help us better analyse reality?

Panelists:

• Olha Nykorak, Program Coordinator, “Human Security” Programme, Heinrich Böll Foundation – Kyiv Office
• Sylvia Tiryaki, Associate Professor, Bratislava International School of Liberal Arts
• tbc. 

The discussion will be moderated by Zuzana Gabrižová, Editor-in-Chief at euBrief.sk.

Participation in the discussion is free of charge.