DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.31.1

 

Abstract.

The purpose of the article is to study the decisions made in the European Union regarding the implementation of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The research methodology. The article uses the method of documents and public speeches analysis to identify the main directions of reforming the CSDP. Thanks to the synthesis method, the processed material is summarized, and the final conclusions are drawn.

The article’s scientific novelty lies in the fact that, for the first time, the EU’s decisions in the field of CSDP after February 2022 have been comprehensively studied. It has been revealed that in May 2023, Josep Borrell, as Head of the European Defense Agency, presented to the defense ministers of the EU countries the first analysis conducted by the Agency of the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the future defense potential of the EU. This comprehensive analysis included operational, strategic, industrial, and technological findings. On May 23, 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted an updated list of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects. As a result, eleven new projects were added to the existing projects that were being developed since December 2017. The list of new projects is a direct reaction of the European Union to Russia’s war against Ukraine and, in particular, addresses key concerns: joint training of pilots from EU countries to enhance interoperability; creation of a joint concept of the future counter-battery potential to deter Russian aggression; development of an air-to-air short-range missile to bolster air defense capabilities; development of a joint multi-echelon anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense system to protect EU airspace. In November 2023, the European Defense Agency’s Governing Council adopted priorities for developing the European Union’s defense potential. This document is the basis for pan-European defense planning and all EU defense-related initiatives. The twenty-two priorities reflect the military realities observed in Ukraine, support the EU’s defense goals, and are intended to implement specific projects. The priorities for developing the EU’s defense potential were developed with equal attention to short-term, medium-term, and long-term planning. In addition, they meet current operational realities and are ready to face future threats and challenges. At the beginning of March 2024, the European Commission presented the first European Defense Industrial Strategy in the EU’s history, which provides for the development of cooperation with Ukraine.

Conclusions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the EU’s defense policy. In the opinion of researchers, the most difficult problem in the field of CSDP remains the unwillingness of member states to give up national interests and make a greater contribution to the development of pan-European defense. It is proposed to study the measures taken by the EU in the field of the Common Security and Defense Policy, try to get involved in the PESCO projects as much as possible, and use the opportunities provided by the European Defense and Industrial Strategy for Ukraine.

Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, war, the European Union, the Common Security and Defence Policy, PESCO.

 

Submitted 15.03.2025

---

Download

---

References:

1. Dorosh, L., & Romanyk, V. (2020). PESCO, CARD, EDF: Strategy, Analysis, and Financing in the European Union Security Guarantee. Humanitarian Vision, 6(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.23939/shv2020.02.001 [In Ukrainian].
2. Ivasechko, O., & Tsebenko, O. (2022). New EU defence strategy Strategic Compass as a response to modern hybrid threats. Retrieved from: http://baltijapublishing.lv/omp/index.php/bp/catalog/download/247/6955/14479-1?inline=1 [In Ukrainian].
3. Bergmann, M., & Svendsen, O. (2023). Transforming European Defense. A New Focus on Integration. Retrieved from: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-06/230616_Bergmann_Transforming_Defense.pdf?VersionId=47opF2RS0DhfOOAFyyjutYkWto_vbcRg [In English].
4. Besch, S. (2022). EU Defense and the War in Ukraine. Retrieved from: https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/12/21/eu-defense-and-war-in-ukraine-pub-88680 [In English].
5. Borrell, J. (2023). Lessons from the war in Ukraine for the future of EU defence. Retrieved from: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/lessons-war-ukraine-future-eu-defence_en [In English].Council decision (CFSP) 2020/1639. Establishing the general conditions under which third States could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects. (2020). Retrieved from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020D1639&rid=8 [In English].
6. EDA: record high European Defence Spending boosted by procurement of new equipment. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.edrmagazine.eu/eda-record-high-european-defence-spending-boosted-by-procurement-of-new-equipment [In English].
7. EU defence cooperation: Council welcomes Denmark into PESCO and launches the 5th wave of new PESCO projects. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/05/23/eu-defence-cooperation-council-welcomes-denmark-into-pesco-and-launches-the-5th-wave-of-new-pesco-projects/#new_tab [In English].
8. EU Defence Ministers agree to prioritise 22 Military Capabilities to bolster European Armed Forces. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.edrmagazine.eu/eu-defence-ministers-agree-to-prioritise-22-military-capabilities-to-bolster-european-armed-forces [In English].
9. First ever defence industrial strategy and a new defence industry programme to enhance Europe’s readiness and security. (2024). Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_1321 [In English].
10. Koenig, N. (2022). Putin’s war and the Strategic Compass: A quantum leap for the EU’s security and defence policy? Retrieved from: https://www.delorscentre.eu/en/publications/detail/publication/putins-war-and-the-strategic-compass-a-quantum-leap-for-the-eus-security-and-defence-policy [In English].
11. Lymar, M., & Ahieieva, V. (2020). The European Defence Policy and Transatlantic Cooperation in Times of Obama and Trump Administrations. European Historical Studies, 16. https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2020.16.1. [In English].
12. Maksak, (2022). New defense frontier of the EU: prospects for Ukraine. Retrieved from: https://prismua.org/en/123058635-2/ [In English].
13. Maulny, J.-P. (2023). The impact of the war in Ukraine on the European defence market. Retrieved from: https://www.iris-france.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/19_ProgEuropeIndusDef_JPMaulny.pdf [In English].
14. Permanent Structured Cooperation – PESCO. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2023/PESCO-Deepening-defence-cooperarion.pdf [In English].
15. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)’s projects – Overview. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/64627/pesco-projects-overview_-update_2023.pdf [In English].
16. Strategic Compass for Security and Defence. (2016). Retrieved from: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/strategic-compass-security-and-defence-1_en [In English].
17. The European Defence Industrial Strategy at a glance (2024). Retrieved from: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/edis-our-common-defence-industrial-strategy_en [In English].
18. Witney, N. (2023). Spirit of ambition: The Ukraine war and European defence integration. Retrieved from: https://ecfr.eu/article/spirit-of-ambition-the-ukraine-war-and-european-defence-integration/ [In English].
19. Zandee, D., & Stoetman, A. (2023). The war in Ukraine. Adapting the EU’s security and defence policy. Retrieved from: https://www.clingendael.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/Policy_brief_The_war_in_Ukraine.pdf [In English].