<p>The paper examines the European Union’s (EU) nascent Indo-Pacific strategy, highlighting the significant influence of the Ukraine War on Brussels’ policy direction in the vast region extending across the Indian and Pacific oceans. Since the end of the Cold War, the EU’s focus was predominantly on a narrowly defined Asia, but this has expanded under the influence of key member states like France, Germany, and the Netherlands to include the broader Indo-Pacific region. The 2021 EU Indo-Pacific strategy covers sustainability, green transition, digital governance, and regional security, but it faces varying priorities among member states and external geopolitical changes. Crucially, the Ukraine War has redirected the EU’s focus and resources towards urgent issues in Eastern Europe, thereby negatively impacting its engagement in the Indo-Pacific. This ongoing shift is primarily driven by immediate security concerns arising from the crisis, alongside a recalibrated stance on China and diplomatic fissure with key partners such as India. Furthermore, the EU’s renewed reliance on economic diplomacy has shown limitations in addressing the complex security landscape of the Indo-Pacific. Thus, while the Ukraine War underscores the importance of maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, the EU’s ability to uphold this order is increasingly constrained by the war in Ukraine.</p>