The conflict in Ukraine – a turning point for security and defence of the EU?

Abstract

On 24 February 2022, war returned to the European continent. However, the Russian aggression did has not only affected Ukraine and its people, its negative consequences are being felt by the whole world, including the European Union, its Memeber States and their citizens. Under the influence of the ongoing conflict, the continental security environment and the security situation in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the European Union continue to deteriorate and interstate tensions between states are further deteriorating. At the same time, there is a threat to European values, democracy, freedom, security and prosperity. The aim of the authors' article is to point out the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the current Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union (EU).The article uses the scientific method of critical analysis of the CFSP of the EU and its basic strategic documents in the context of its application in the member countries. The results of the analyses are synthesized in the form of recommendations, mainly concering the timely response of the EU institution to the needs presented by individual member countries in the area of security and defence; investments spent on defence; compatibility of military means and systems; greater cohesion in the field of research and development of the EU member countries.In the conclusion, the author presents the opinion that the shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has certainly brought several significant changes, but only a broader transformation of the EU's foreign and security policy can support truly positive developments in this area. Therefore, the question remains unanswered whether the conflict in Ukraine will prove to be a turning point or whether it will remain only an impetus for the accelerating programmes and the developing new formats and initiatives without creating any breakthrough plan for deeper European security and defence integration.