The Evolution of the European Union’s Strategic Framework Following the Russian Aggression in Ukraine

Abstract

In the wake of Russia’s 2022 aggression, the European Union has sought to provide effective responses to the changes taking place in the international system by adopting numerous strategic documents, allocating financial resources, and indorsing EU regulations. A defining feature of these new strategic documents is that they have increasingly emphasized defence policy and primarily the development of military tools aimed at deterrence. The purpose of this study is to present and analyse the process unfolding in the 2020s. The strategic documents issued since 2022 can be viewed as frameworks aimed at strengthening the European Union’s defence capabilities and strategic autonomy, with the ultimate goal of establishing a European defence union. The background documents highlight a significant increase in military spending, while urging closer procurement and research cooperation among member states to reduce fragmentation. Priorities include the modernization of land, air, and sea warfare, as well as the defence of key domains such as outer space, cyberspace, and critical infrastructure. The strategies emphasize that, based on the lessons of the Russo-Ukrainian war, a balance must be struck between high technological standards and large-scale production capacity. The goal is to build an innovative and flexible European Defence Technological and Industrial Base capable of responding effectively to future security challenges.