EU foreign policy

Stopping Russian aggression means rejecting its fossil fuel exports – and, ultimately, switching to renewables

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Paul Hockenos compares the efforts of the EU and the US in view of weaning from Russian fossil fuels. On the ground, Ukraine’s transition to distributed renewables already rhymes with resilience against the aggressor.

By Paul Hockenos

The European green transition as an opportunity for African industry

International Institute for Environment and Development

The European Union places special importance on its relations with African states and the African Union in its geostrategic thinking. Key areas of cooperation include trade (225 billion euro annually), security issues such as terrorism, migration, human rights, democratic processes, and economic development (65 billion euro annually). However, these efforts have been affected by unequal power dynamics and resource differences. The challenges posed by climate change and ongoing energy security issues in Europe have prompted the shift towards green energy and the diversification of trade partnerships for raw materials. This presents an opportunity to redefine the relationship between Europe and Africa.

By Aleksandra Pluta

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6 minutes

The role of the UK in a new European security architecture

Analysis

The United Kingdom has developed its contribution to European security in the context of its withdrawal from the EU. However, a more formal relationship between the two in the areas of foreign, security and defence policy remains to be desired.

By Richard G. Whitman

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10 minutes

Ukraine's reconstruction: "Continue to apply the sandwich effect!"

Interview

On 21 and 22 June 2023, the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference was held in London. It is about a lot of money, its distribution and the necessary control. If many actors work together, the mammoth task can succeed without much corruption. Johannes Voswinkel, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Kyiv office interviews Olena Halushka, Board Member of the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC).

By Johannes Voswinkel

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11 minutes

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Publications

EU defence industrial policy in a new era

E-paper

The 2024 re-election of Donald Trump as US president, and the realignment of US security strategy that is expected to follow fundamentally changes Europe’s security outlook. The EU cannot become Europe’s security provider, but it can, through its defence industrial policy, support the funding and organization of the rearmament effort.

pdf

Poland, Germany and Ukraine at a Turning Point: Making or Breaking the Western Alliance

At the beginning of 2025, Russia's war against Ukraine is entering its third year. At the same time, the EU is facing many uncertainties. Starting with those related to Donald Trump's second presidential term, through intra-European ones – related to the growth of far-right and far-left groups in many EU countries, and resulting from Russia's hybrid war against Western countries. In this context, the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in cooperation with Austausch is publishing a report that offers answers to these threats and challenges. The report is published with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Warsaw office.

pdf

US elections and European cohesion: Scenario implications for Ukraine and Transatlantic security

Policy Paper

The fate of Ukraine’s battlefield will be decided at the US ballot box. This paper explores how the European Union and its Member States could adjust their Ukraine and NATO policies, depending on the outcome of the US election.

pdf

The European Union is playing a more and more important role in international politics. Its origins are rooted in the dramatic experience of the Second World War and therefore it has special responsibility for the future of the continent and international order. Unfortunately, the EU does not always take advantage of its own potential in this field. Therefore, the way to create common foreign policy and its efficient mechanisms leaves a lot to be desired.