The geopolitical landscape of Europe has experienced a significant shift following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This event has unified Europe like never before in response to the threat to European security. The European Union (EU) has adopted unprecedented sanctions, restricting imports essential for the energy sector and closing Russia's airspace. It has also penalized key figures such as Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, and Russian oligarchs.
Germany, traditionally cautious with arms exports, has now modified its policy, and EU funds are being used to bolster Ukraine's defense. The ongoing discussions about "strategic autonomy" have been replaced by concerted action with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Even the illiberal front led by Hungary has joined a new consensus in foreign policy, having previously tried to block the EU's approach towards China and the Middle East. Poland and others have opened their borders to Ukrainian refugees, only seven years after the migrant crisis sparked by the rift between East and West.
Europe is currently battling against time, both in Ukraine to halt the Russian invasion and within the EU when assessing its capability to respond to crises. The relatively immature European geopolitics might have needed the internal divisions revealed by the euro crisis and the refugee crisis to foster more coordinated action today.
Steps taken since Brexit, the pandemic, and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrate that when the project, health, or security of Europeans is threatened, Europe responds. The need remains for this response to continue if the crisis escalates or persists.
