The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has marked a fundamental shift for the entire European continent. It has put our peace and security architecture to the toughest test since the end of the Second World War, writes German MEP David McAllister.
On 24 February 2022, power politics came back to the international stage with a vengeance. This trend was accelerated by crises and the global rise of actors that want to discard the rules-based international order.
The additional fundamental restructuring of foreign policy objectives by the new US administration – and the diplomatic practices Washington is prepared to employ under President Trump’s leadership – have most recently underlined a simple yet consequential truth: Europe must become capable of global politics on its own. We have to take more responsibility for our own security and lead our economy to new strength. Only a Europe that is stable internally and united externally can be a credible player on the international stage.
In this situation, it is important to have a German Federal Government capable of taking action. The next Chancellor needs to be able to move forward all pressing issues with our European partners. Unfortunately, Mr Scholz’s government has struggled to respond to the monumental challenges the European Union faces. For three long years, the largest member state has simply underperformed.
German MEP David McAllister speaks during a European Parliament foreign affairs committee meeting. Credit: EU
The European Union should concentrate on those tasks that can be better fulfilled at European than at national level. It is about creating added value for everyone. This includes further deepening the single market and strengthening our competitiveness. It also means completing the energy and capital markets union while building a stable economic and monetary union.
Europe urgently needs a boost for greater economic performance. We should focus on market-based instruments and openness to technology. Any remaining obstacles to the cross-border movement of goods and services must be removed as quickly as possible. To fight unnecessary red tape, we need an EU competitiveness check and an independent European standardisation council that measures the bureaucratic burden.
Strengthening the single market and enhancing competitiveness are crucial, but these efforts must be paired with a robust, forward-thinking security strategy to safeguard Europe's future. We must work to secure the EU’s external borders more effectively through increased structural and technical protection. Only then can internal border controls become unnecessary once more.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) issue a joint statement at the Elysee in Paris, on 22 January 2025. Credit: Belga / AFP
None of these internal challenges are isolated from the broader geopolitical landscape. As Europe grapples with economic and political shifts at home, it must simultaneously adapt to external threats and changing power dynamics on the international stage.
To be united externally, Europe needs to develop the military capacity that we should have had long ago. We must rapidly enhance our strategic, operational and defence capabilities to strengthen the European pillar within NATO. It is about remaining transatlantic and becoming more European. It is obvious that the two per cent target agreed upon in Wales in 2014 will only serve as the absolute minimum for each NATO member's spending commitment.
The new German Government must continue to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian war of aggression, and should work to ensure that peace negotiation are not held without Ukraine – and Europe – at the table. The guiding principle must be: “Nothing on Ukraine without Ukraine. Nothing on Europe without Europe.”
If we allowed Ukraine’s sovereignty to be compromised, our European security structure would be equally imperilled. Ukraine must enter any peace process from a position of strength and on equal footing with Russia.
