EU foreign policy |

What next for EU–UK trade relations?

The UK and EU held their first post-Brexit summit in May 2025. Its outcome was a long list of areas – ranging from emissions trading to the mobility of young people – on which the two sides intend to cooperate more closely. But formal negotiations will be neither quick nor easy. Most of the hard work is yet to come, writes Jannike Wachowiak.

Jannike Wachowiak

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

Article

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.

Paul Hockenos

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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.

Aleksandra Pluta

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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.

Richard G. Whitman

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Publications

How to make Europe secure again?

Russia’s war against Ukraine and shifting US policy have reignited debate on Europe’s security. This report brings together German and Polish perspectives, offering strategic analysis and policy recommendations for the EU’s future.

Adam Balcer

Actually European!? 2025

Executive summary

A majority of citizens in Germany have a positive view of the new federal government‘s pledge for a stronger leadership role in the EU, but clearly advocate for doing so in a cooperative manner. These findings come from the latest edition of our long-term study 'Actually European!?' on Germany’s role in the EU.

Dr. Maria Skóra, Georg McCutcheon

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.

EU foreign policy

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.