European Defence: Developments, Challenges and Gaps in Institutions, Instruments, and Strategies

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has dramatically changed the geopolitical environment in Europe. In this context the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell declared in March 2022 “Europe’s Geopolitical Awakening” (Borrell, 2022). Therefore, the so-called “geopolitical Europe” is seen as the new normal in EU foreign policy, which ascribes a global security responsibility to the EU and has the task of protecting its citizens and supporting its partners (Borrell, 2022). Based on these recent developments and the EU’s new normal, this chapter will take a closer look at the core of geopolitical thinking, security, and defence policy.