Russia’s war in Ukraine and the future of the European integration

Participants:

 Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Executive Vice-President for An Economy
that Works for People, and Commissioner for Trade

 José Manuel Albares, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Moderated by

 Charles Powell, Director, Elcano Royal Institute

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the firmly European response, is carrying important social and economic consequences. Moreover, this situation is having a deep impact with structural effects that will require a clear and strong political leadership from the EU and its Member States.

In this sense, the Ukrainian war has relaunched different dossiers that have been stagnated for decades, such as moving towards the energy independence, renovating the asylum and migration pact or equipping the EU with more security and defense capabilities and an agile decision making process. Furthermore, the new candidate status of Ukraine, but also Moldova, forces the EU to rethink its relationship with the Eastern Partnership. Taking into account the enlargement fatigue in the Western Balkans, the EU must be able to design a credible and constructive roadmap towards the EU.

It is too soon to have a glimpse of the future of the European integration. However, this event, after the latest State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen, could be an important contribution so that citizens and all those involved in EU action perceive the sense of direction they are expecting from the EU and its Member States.

Date: Tuesday 27th September 2022
Hour: 18:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Venue (in-person event): Official Residence of the Spanish Ambassador to Belgium,
Marqués de Villalobar (Rue Montoyer, 26, 1000 Brussels)

The conversation will be held in English with no simultaneous translation

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