Ukraine’s fight, Europe’s future: Will the EU step up or stumble?

Venue: Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU, Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brussels

The geopolitical ground beneath Europe is shifting. U.S. support is no longer a given - neither in military aid nor in strategic alignment. Donald Trump’s return to the White House has disrupted U.S. support for Ukraine. His erratic policy shifts have led to wavering military assistance, temporary halts in intelligence sharing, and side-lining both Ukraine and the EU in proposed peace talks with Putin.

Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. While European leaders have pledged to step up, real action for Ukraine must follow. Can the EU emerge as a serious security actor? What role can coalitions of the willing play in providing Ukraine with tangible security guarantees? How can Europe, alongside partners like the UK, shape a credible long-term strategy for Ukraine’s defence and European integration?

Join us for a critical discussion on what Ukraine truly needs to defend itself and how Europe can deliver.

Agenda

18:00 Welcome remarks by Rainer Steffens, Director of the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU, and Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU 

18:05 Discussion moderated by Roderick Kefferpütz with:

• Julia Kadzobina, Senior Fellow of the Security Studies Program, Ukrainian Prism
• Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA), Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
• Representative from the European External Action Service (tbc) 

19:00 Q&A 

19:30 Reception 

Please register here before Monday 24 March: 

Contact Person: Hannah Goerlich (Hannah.Goerlich@eu.boell.org)