Academics and politicians alike see Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a turning point that marks a political change not only in Germany, but in the European Union (EU) as a whole. Putin’s war has destroyed the European security architecture established following the Cold War.

Reorganizing security policy in Europe will require strengthening the EU’s ability to take more decisive action. The specifics of this reorganization are still up for debate. Calls range from introducing majority voting on security and defense issues to establishing a European army. However, the treaty negotiations required to bring about such reforms are likely to be lengthy and politicized. This would be hardly conducive to strengthening the EU’s ability to deal with the multiple crises it is currently facing.

Also, the EU has shown an astonishing ability to take action against the massive violations of international law committed by Putin’s Russia. To date, EU member states have agreed – unanimously – on no fewer than ten sanctions packages, on introducing a military training mission for Ukraine, and on fifty billion euros in financial aid.

Ukraine and Moldova have also been granted EU candidate status, and the member states have taken in around eight million refugees. This united action is certainly an indication that times have changed. However, it should not be confused with the “Zeitenwende” announced by Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz. The fundamental changes he envisions in Germany’s foreign policy will only come about once Germany demonstrates its willingness to play a leading role in shaping Europe’s security and defense policy.

The original article was published in the recent Tagesspiegel supplement. You can read it here in German.