How can Europe strengthen deterrence against Russia in an era of reduced US engagement?
While Europe is investing unprecedented resources in defence, the challenge is turning these investments into usable military power and stronger deterrence.
These were the questions at the centre of the launch of our new Chaillot Paper, 'Defending Europe, deterring Russia: Resources, readiness and resolve'.
Presenting the paper, Luigi Scazzieri made the case that Europe has the resources, population and technological base needed to defend itself. But success depends on strengthening 3 interlocking foundations:
Resources. Readiness. Resolve.
The panel discussion highlighted broad agreement and important debates.
European External Action Service Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defence, Charles Fries stressed the need to strengthen European capabilities and underlined Ukraine's growing role as a security provider and source of military innovation for Europe.
Thijs Reuten, MEP (S&D Group) argued that the mood in the European Parliament is one of impatience, warning that Europe will not achieve its defence objectives if it continues to move at its current pace.
Maria Martisiute, Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre highlighted the intensity of Russia's hybrid warfare against Europe and questioned whether Europeans should already be thinking beyond deterrence towards more active forms of defence.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was that deterrence is about translating resources into military readiness, strengthening industrial capacity, learning from Ukraine and demonstrating the political resolve to act.
