The publication of the US National Security Strategy 2025 marks a pivotal shift in the geopolitical landscape, signalling Washington’s decisive prioritisation of the Western Hemisphere and a transactional approach to European defence. This strategic re-orientation leaves Europe to confront the aggressive Russian neighbour without its traditional security guarantor. 

Against this backdrop, Ukraine continues its existential resistance into a fifth year of full-scale war, facing critical manpower shortages and a projected financial gap for 2026, yet persisting through rapid technological adaptation and deep-strike capabilities. 

This unprecedented strategic solitude raises urgent questions regarding the EU’s capacity to fill the vacuum left by the United States. The situation demands a radical acceleration of the Union's strategic autonomy, moving beyond rhetoric to the operationalisation of new defence financing mechanisms and the integration of Ukraine into a European-led security architecture. 

This Hybrid Policy Dialogue, organised by the European Policy Centre in cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania, addresses the security reality created by this strategic divergence. Bringing together EU and Ukraine's officials, as well as key experts, the discussion will analyse the implications of the 2025 Strategy, assess the durability of Ukraine’s defence in 2026 and evaluate emerging EU security policy developments designed to secure the continent in the face of the in the face of an increasingly confrontational US–EU relationship.

This event welcomes the participation of EPC member organisations, EU institutions and media. For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For any other queries regarding the event, please contact events@epc.eu.