The War in Ukraine and the EU’s Geopolitical Shift

The war in Ukraine has significantly impacted the European Union (EU)’s geopolitical position, reshaping its perception of borders and rethinking its approach to geopolitics. This chapter explores the impact of the conflict on the EU’s ontological security, focusing on the Union’s response to the instability in Eastern Europe and its strategic stance in external relations. The study uses the theoretical framework of ontological security to analyse how the EU maintains its sense of self and security amid external threats. It focuses on the EU’s evolving identity and its implications for internal cohesion and external relations. The study uses a process tracing methodology and content analysis of key EU policy speeches to map out how the war has influenced discourse and policy shifts. The study aims to highlight strategic opportunities and challenges the EU faces in the post-war landscape, particularly regarding border policies, regional partnerships, and its long-term geopolitical vision. By identifying these factors, the chapter contributes to understanding the broader geopolitical recalibration currently taking place in Europe.