Euroviews. Europe’s responsibility in the world (dis)order
15 April 2026
The EU must be able to act. The principle of unanimity in foreign and security policy is an obstacle to this. A “European Security Council” could change this, say Hans-Gert Pöttering, former President of the European Parliament, and Klaus Welle, Martens Centre for European Studies.
Putin and Russia’s criminal war of aggression against Ukraine has shaken the European peace order.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump’s policies – from trade conflicts to open provocations in the transatlantic relationship – are causing growing uncertainty about the future security policy reliability of the United States.
In view of these global political uncertainties and challenges, effective action by the European Union is a matter of urgency.
