The NATO summit in Madrid is bringing together NATO leaders and other key allies to discuss a strategy to transform the alliance and enhance the bloc’s support for Ukraine. Concerned by the deeper Sino-Russian rapprochement and committed to responding to the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance seeks to strengthen its unity and scope of action. 

The war on the European Continent, and the increasing challenges the world is facing, push the EU to build on the already effective relationship with its international partners, especially the United States, based on common values and an ambitious global agenda. The recent NATO membership applications by Finland and Sweden will strengthen the European contingency in NATO and pave the way for stronger EU-NATO relations. Furthermore, Finland and Sweden joining NATO can strengthen the EU’s role in the areas of security and defence. In addition, the outcome of the referendum held last June in Denmark will allow the country to join the EU’s common security and defence policy (CSDP) and further enhance European unity in this area. 

Through its revamped commitment to stronger defence cooperation, the EU has shown leadership and the ability to act with one voice. The EU activated the European Peace Facility (EPF) to provide an initial amount of €500 million in military aid to Ukraine, while Member States have been supporting Ukraine with military, financial and humanitarian aid in their own capacity. The Council of the European Union also agreed on six packages of economic sanctions against the Kremlin, while on 23 June 2022 the European Council granted EU candidate status to Ukraine. 

Key Texts 

European Movement International: Policy Position on EU-US Relations 

NATO: 2022 Strategic Concept 

Council of the European Union: The Strategic Compass 

Upcoming Dates 

4-7 July: European Parliament’s plenary session 

18 July: Foreign Affairs Council 

The European Movement International position

As outlined in our new policy position on EU-US relations, the common challenges the world is facing urge the transatlantic partners to revamp their relations by further deepening trust and strengthening diplomatic ties. The EU-US partnership should represent an anchor for peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and security. This dialogue should also address the economic and political rise of China that may jeopardise the rules-based international order, as we also argue in our policy position on EU-China relations. In facing the conflict in Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance needs to provide robust diplomatic and military support to Ukraine. The EU and the US should intensify their cooperation by reinvigorating the multilateral rules-based order and revitalising multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

Moreover, without distancing itself from the US and its key partners, a stronger EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is paramount to deepening and fortifying transatlantic relations. A new European strategy that is not limited to defence and technological capabilities will give the EU more credibility and lessen its dependence on the US and NATO. To do so, the EU needs to move away from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMW) in matters of foreign and security policy. The ambition and long-term horizon of the Strategic Compass can deepen strategic autonomy by making the EU a provider of security and an international player that ensures the protection of common values and contributes to international peace.