The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation last year has completely overhauled the geopolitical situation on the European continent in 2022. It has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the European Union but also demonstrated that Europeans are able to act quickly, effectively, and in a united way. The EU’s response has been far-reaching, with measures focusing both on the short-term, e.g. on refugees, sanctions, energy, defense, etc., and the long-run, e.g. on Ukraine’s post-war recovery, European political community, etc.. After Paris in the first semester 2022, the Czech Presidency of the Council has played a key-role in advancing this strategic agenda.
What assessment can be done of this Presidency of the Council and Prague’s diplomatic efforts in turbulent times? What course has the EU set for itself in the new geopolitical context? What common horizon do France and the Czech Republic draw, together with Austria and Slovakia, for EU’s global role in the age of uncertainty?
