The development of European defence integration since 2017

Abstract

Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and US President Trump’s anti-NATO rhetoric have led many to question the European Union’s state of defence and security. Long an issue member states have struggled to fully integrate on, due to nationalistic and sovereign concerns and heavy reliance on NATO. With the largest war in Europe since WWII and a weakened Transatlantic relationship, concerns over Europe’s autonomy have intensified. This paper aims to look at how European Defence Integration has developed since 2017. With a particular focus on shifts in rhetoric by various European leaders, an analysis of key EU initiatives aimed at increasing the EU’s defence capabilities and capacity, and lastly, how these developments fit into the broader context of the war in Ukraine and US politics.