Global and regional events over the past three years have conspired to bring Europeans closer together. Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine since 2022 has led to European solidarity with its democratic neighbour, including allowing Ukraine to begin the road to European Union membership.  Meanwhile, two European states, Sweden and Finland, finally dropped their neutrality and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The re-election of Donald Trump in 2024 has caused chaos in the financial markets and a possible trade war, again leading to strong European responses. The US President’s ambivalence about NATO has further provoked European reactions. Defence cooperation, including with the United Kingdom, is firmly on the agenda.

This lecture will argue that decisions in Washington and Moscow have acted as catalysts for closer cooperation among European countries, precisely the opposite of the disruption they sought to achieve.

Please register in advance, as seating is limited. 

June 17, 2025 - 6 p.m., International House (Kringsweg 6)

This event is hosted by the Department of Political Science, the Cologne International Forum, and Europa-Union Köln.