Ukraine’s path to EU membership will necessitate the establishment of clear standards for rule of law and fundamental values, along with effective mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance post-accession. This approach is crucial to ensuring that future enlargements positively impact EU governance.
The EU approved the Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1469 which authorises the use of net profits from the frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and self-defence against Russia’s war of aggression.
Paulina Ríos Maya and Liz Morán explore the dynamic and sometimes fraught relationship between the European youth and the EU Bubble, examining how this relationship shapes the future of the European project.
With the elections of 2024 occurring, the importance of green energy and the reduction of carbon emissions is integral to progress. Looking into Austria and Europe’s actions, scientists are investigating how much action has been taken, while also looking into future policies moving forward.
The cost of living crisis in Europe has been one of the most pressing concerns since 2021. Several measures by the national governments and the EU have failed to provide relief to the citizens. The main cause behind it is the divided approach of the political parties to handle the situation. Right wing parties favour competitiveness while the left argue for investment in public enterprises. For this economic crisis to be effectively dealt with, parties need to rise from their differences and work as a union to lift its people from economic and social insecurities.
The defence has become a key issue for the EU. After Russia’s invasion old needs have resurged. The EDIS sets the defence industrial policy.
Central Asia is a vast and resource-rich region situated between three major centers of influence. Formerly part of both the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union, its nations have only recently gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They continue to be influenced by Moscow, although they have made some significant strides towards autonomy in their own right. The Russian military’s actions in Ukraine have continuously eroded the credibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance. This, coupled with a significant loss of soft power in the countries of the post- Soviet space, which traditionally formed part of its sphere of influence, could create an opening for other influential actors to emerge as real alternative partners. The European Union wishes to consider an even more proactive role in Central Asia, given the young nations’ of Central Asia newfound pragmatism in foreign policy and its potential to enhance EU interests.
Sweden and Finland have joined NATO and has similar motives in doing so. Now, the Russian threat of a military standoff hovers over them.
Recurrent crises highlight a consistent failure of current leaders to meet demands of protection; protection against war, economic crashes, and immigration. This failure pushes individuals towards parties that offer different and extreme methods of protection. Such as expanding military power and cracking-down on so-called illegal migration. Here, far-right parties gain the opportunity to position themselves as champions of strength and safeguarding, offering new hard-line politics on immigration, economics, and nationalism.
Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have taken it upon themselves to unilaterally ban grain and agricultural products from Ukraine. Ukraine has filed a complaint with the WTO and the EU may defend them while simultaneously start an infringement procedure against them.
