Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022, the political, economic and military world order has changed considerably. Today more than ever the Russian invasion of Ukraine is calling for a global reassessment of values and priorities. This is the context in which the fourth edition of CESI’s European Defence Round Table (EDRT) was held on March 21, contributing to it with very meaningful perspectives on the current state of affairs and providing solutions of moving forward for peace in Europe.

Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive at the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels, declared: “This is a watershed moment in European history which will test the EU and liberal democracies in general.” In his assessment all the coordinates of our societies are changing following the start of the war in Ukraine, from energy policies and prices to the procurement of raw materials in European industries and migration management policies. In his opinion, solidarity and Europeanisation should prevail in addressing the upcoming crisis in order to ensure effective survival strategies for everyone.

Mary Kaldor, Professor of Global Governance at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), reminded the participants: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine is also about a battle of values: democracy versus authoritarianism.” She added: “What is needed is a rethinking of Europe’s security arrangements, along the lines of the Helsinki Accords of 1975 rather than classic geopolitical alliances such as NATO.”

Elena Lazarou, Head of the External Policies Unit at the European Parliament Research Service, was of the opinion that this war is speeding up the European efforts for achieving a European Defence Union, through the Strategic Compass and a post-Versailles agenda with EU Member States committing more investments in the area of defence. She also referred to the importance for the EU to build a stronger defensive deterrence doctrine for more peaceful cooperation.

Thomas Sohst, member of the Board of CESI for the German Armed Forces Association (Deutscher BundeswehrVerband; DBwV) and President of CESI’s Expert Commission ‘Defence’, related current changes in the world’s geopolitical setting to possible consequences for the civilian and military personnel of the armed forces and their representatives, stressing the importance of army staff to be well represented, equipped and consulted in the delivery of the forthcoming military plans, especially in light of a newly created European Rapid Deployment Capacity.

Christian Moos, a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and representing CESI’s member organisation dbb (the German Civil Servants Association), presented impacts of the current geopolitical crisis and a European Defence Union on civil society organisations at EU and national level (Germany).

Klaus Heeger, CESI Secretary General concluded the EDRT by declaring: “This war obliges us to rethink and re-evaluate our policies in terms of geopolitics, security, defence, and energy security, but one matter is clear: We are all united and for the first time in a long time we should stop taking anything for granted. We should step up our efforts to defend the common values which are the foundation of our European societies: democracy, freedom and peace.”

As a result of the meeting, thesis points on the further development of the European Defence Union were adopted.