Russia – European Studies Review

Can the EU Pull Its Own Weight? “ReArm Europe” and the Obstacles to European Common Defence

By Bella Popescu Since January, the White House has undergone a whiplash pivot towards Russia in the Ukraine war–while the US won’t leave the Alliance, it also won’t come to the rescue of any European nation involved in a peacekeeping force should it be attacked by Russia. This blunder signalled the administration’s disregard for joint-assuredContinue reading “Can the EU Pull Its Own Weight? “ReArm Europe” and the Obstacles to European Common Defence”

Moldova’s EU referendum and the EU’s laissez-faire

By Jordy Benooit On Sunday the 20th of October, 2024, Moldovans voted to enshrine their desire for European Union membership into their country’s constitution. The aim: to prevent future governments from reversing the country’s accession process. The pro-EU side won with a razor thin majority, totalling just 50.4% of the vote. Praises and victory speechesContinue reading “Moldova’s EU referendum and the EU’s laissez-faire”

EU Gets Ready for a “Protracted Conflict”: Unpacking the First-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS)

By Aemi Desideri Introduction On 5 March 2024, the European Commission and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP) presented the first-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), a landmark initiative aimed at bolstering defence capabilities at the EU level. This strategy, designed to be “responsive” and “resilient” to the current challengesContinue reading “EU Gets Ready for a “Protracted Conflict”: Unpacking the First-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS)”