A Historic Project of Peace and Integration

Since its founding in the aftermath of World War II, the European Union (EU) has been one of the most ambitious and successful political and economic projects of modern history. Emerging from the devastation of conflict, the EU transformed a continent of division into one of unparalleled cooperation and interdependence.

Today, the Union comprises 27 member states, over 450 million citizens, and one of the world’s largest and most dynamic single markets. Its institutions promote peace, democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. From the Single Market and Schengen Area to the euro and multiple enlargements, the EU has driven prosperity, stability, and social cohesion across the continent.

The EU has also become a global regulatory power, shaping international norms in digital privacy (GDPR), climate action (Green Deal), consumer protection, and fair trade. Its model of peaceful integration continues to inspire in a world of rising fragmentation.

Facing New Global Realities

The global environment in which the EU operates has changed profoundly. The post-Cold War order – once defined by slow diplomacy and a stable multilateralism – has given way to strategic rivalry, technological disruption, climate urgency, and renewed military conflict.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marked the return of large-scale war to Europe. The EU’s response – sanctions, humanitarian and military aid, and the granting of candidate status to Ukraine – demonstrated unprecedented speed and unity. Yet, this conflict also exposed structural vulnerabilities: energy dependence, defense gaps, and internal differences in foreign policy.

Globally, the EU navigates intensifying US-China competition, the weaponization of trade and energy, and the erosion of international institutions. Domestically, it grapples with high inflation, demographic decline, regional productivity gaps, and the enormous cost of green and digital transitions – all while striving to preserve its economic competitiveness.

Citizens Call for a Stronger, More Strategic EU

Public sentiment across the European Union reflects both an awareness of the serious challenges facing the continent and a strong desire for more decisive, collective EU action. The Spring 2025 Eurobarometer reveals a growing sense of confidence in the Union’s institutions and a clear mandate for leadership on the global stage. According to the survey, 52% of EU citizens now express trust in the Union—the highest level recorded since 2007. Among young people aged 15 to 24, this trust rises even further, approaching 60%, underscoring a notable generational endorsement of the European project.

Three-quarters of Europeans, or 75%, identify as EU citizens, demonstrating the deep resonance of European identity across the Union. Moreover, 62% of respondents remain optimistic about the EU’s future, despite the complex geopolitical and economic landscape. This optimism is mirrored in attitudes towards the euro: 74% of citizens across the EU support the common currency, a figure that climbs to 83% within the euro area, reflecting continued confidence in one of the Union’s most significant achievements.

Security and defense are also areas where public opinion signals both concern and a demand for action. A substantial 81% of EU citizens endorse the creation of a common EU defense and security policy – the highest level of support since 2004. This sentiment coincides with widespread anxiety about Europe’s security prospects, with 78% of respondents expressing worry about the region’s stability over the next five years. Reflecting this concern, 43% of Europeans believe that defense should be prioritized in the EU budget, while 40% support increasing defense spending to bolster Europe’s security capabilities.

When it comes to Europe’s role in the world, citizens overwhelmingly advocate for robust engagement. A striking 88% support stronger global rules-based cooperation, underscoring the EU’s identity as a defender of multilateralism. In addition, 80% of respondents want the EU to respond firmly to trade barriers imposed by other countries, reflecting a broad-based expectation that the Union will defend its interests and values in the international arena.

On the specific issue of Ukraine, EU citizens have demonstrated consistent solidarity. Public support for the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion remains high: 72% of citizens back sanctions against Russia, 76% support ongoing humanitarian and financial assistance, and 60% favor Ukraine’s candidacy for EU membership. These figures highlight not only strong public backing for the Union’s current policies but also a willingness to see Europe play a proactive role in shaping the future of its neighborhood.

Together, these findings illustrate a European public that is ready for the Union to match its values with action — one that looks to the EU not merely as a guarantor of peace and stability, but as a strategic actor capable of protecting its citizens, defending its principles, and leading on the global stage.

Enlargement: Strategic Necessity, Institutional Challenge

EU enlargement is no longer a distant ambition – fit has become a geopolitical necessity for the Union’s security, stability, and global relevance. The return of large-scale war to Europe, growing geopolitical competition, and external influence at Europe’s borders have made enlargement a key tool for protecting the Union’s strategic interests and upholding its values.

Ukraine and Moldova’s accession talks, launched in 2024, reflect this shift, as does Georgia’s deepening association with the EU. In the Western Balkans, Montenegro and Albania have advanced steadily, while others face political obstacles and unresolved disputes that continue to stall their progress.

Enlargement offers clear strategic and economic benefits. A larger Union would strengthen European security, reduce external vulnerabilities, and promote stability at Europe’s borders. Economically, successful integration of new members could help narrow the EU–WB GDP per capita gap, as noted by the IMF (2025), while creating new growth opportunities for the single market.

However, enlargement also demands internal reforms. The EU must enhance institutional efficiency, strengthen budgetary solidarity, and modernize decision-making to remain functional and cohesive as it grows. Just as importantly, it must ensure that enlargement reinforces democracy, the rule of law, and core EU values, with robust mechanisms to prevent backsliding.

If managed well, enlargement can help build a stronger, more resilient Europe. But success will depend on combining strategic ambition with disciplined reform and a firm commitment to the principles that have long defined the European project.

Priorities for European Leadership

If the EU is to meet expectations and global challenges, it must act decisively on several fronts to meet the expectations of its citizens and rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, the European Union must act decisively across several key dimensions. (1) In the area of security and defense, it is essential for the EU to build credible deterrence, integrate its defense capabilities, and enhance its capacity for rapid response to emerging threats. (2) Achieving strategic autonomy will require securing energy supplies, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains, while at the same time reducing external dependencies that could compromise the Union’s stability. (3) On the economic front, economic transformation must focus on accelerating both green and digital transitions, closing regional disparities, and enhancing productivity across the bloc. (4) When it comes to enlargement and reform, the Union must ensure that the integration of new members is conducted responsibly, with a focus on strengthening institutional cohesion and ensuring that shared values are upheld. (5) Finally, in its global role, the EU must aim to set international standards, defend the principles of multilateralism, and act strategically to navigate an increasingly complex and multipolar world.

The EU’s greatest obstacle is no longer external – it is the fear of ambition. The 21st century demands that Europe pair its values with capability, and its ideals with decisive action.

The Path Forward

The EU has achieved what once seemed impossible: uniting a divided continent in peace and prosperity. But the challenges it faces now require more than preservation – they demand leadership.

In an age of fragmentation and rivalry, Europe must act as a strategic power. It must protect its citizens, defend its values, and shape the global order alongside like-minded partners. This is not merely a test of institutions, but of political will.

The future of the EU depends on whether it can transform from a regulatory superpower into a true strategic force – one that leads not only through ideals, but through action.

References:

• European Commission (2025). Standard Eurobarometer 100 – Spring 2025. 
• IMF (2025). Regional Economic Outlook: Europe – April 2025.
• European External Action Service (2024). EU Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Factsheet.
• European Council (2024). Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process: Latest Developments.

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