Friends of Europe

📆 NEXT WEEK | How can Europe innovate and complement existing defence structures with lessons from Ukraine? In collaboration with @DelorsInstitute, @FriendsofEurope will host an online #FoEDebate identifying Ukrainian lessons that could provide a much-needed update to Europe's defence ecosystem. For this discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@TomaszHusak, Director of Defence Policy @defis_eu 🎙️Marco Lotz, Governmental Relations Manager @Quantumdrones & Chair of the Ukraine Working Group @ASDEurope 🎙️@Piilaadzis, Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence @MoD_Latvia Register to join the debate 👉shorturl.at/KEWAT Learn more about the event 👉shorturl.at/wjgd9

❗Pitching in bombs and hoping for the best is not a recipe for democracy. In this #CriticalThinking article, PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea reviews President Trump's actions, cross-references present day events with historical lessons and examines Europe's role in the unfolding crisis in its backyard. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

♀️🛡️Gender equality in our armed forces is about more than just representation — it's about embedding gender-equal practices at the heart of defence and security. In this #CriticalThinking article, 6 researchers across the EU examine how the Women, Peace and Security (#WPS) agenda is interpreted in 3 member states. Because the question is not whether WPS belongs in Europe’s agenda, but whether Europe is prepared to meaningfully embed women’s leadership. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti… @lvuniversity @FHNW

💡Young people see democracy as a living process, not just a checkbox. In this #CriticalThinking article by Alessandra Cardaci, Head of Programming and Operations at @DebatingEurope, she argues that co-designing policies with Europe's young people is key to safeguarding its future. Because young people are not only willing to lead but ready to do so – if given the tools. Read the article here ⤵️ shorturl.at/rUcbm

⚡If used well, the Grids Package can revolutionise Europe's aging energy grids. Last week, Friends of Europe partnered with @Google to host a thought-provoking #FoEDebate on the power of grids. Because while Europe has done well in rolling out renewables, long connection queues, insufficient grid capacity and slow permitting are increasing the costs for consumers. Key takeaways 🔹Europe must ensure that renewable energy remains affordable 🔹Big digital players have a responsibility to act as “good grid citizens" 🔹At the same time, governance must be cohesive and consistent 🔹The grids package is key to delivering affordable renewable energy across the continent Thank you to our esteemed speakers and participants! 🔍Find out more about the event : shorturl.at/2XjeP 📷Check out the photo album : shorturl.at/rZXNW @micha_bloss @TomHowes_EU @Laura_Cozzi

🚨 Washington's recent aggression clearly defines an America-first worldview — but what about Europe? In this #CriticalThinking article by Chief Spokesperson for @FriendsofEurope, @DharmendraBIG warns that Europe will only succeed if underpinned by social cohesion and a Renewed Social Contract – recognising that Europe’s social model is part of a foundation that must be strengthened, not feared. Read the article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

❗Connectivity must be considered critical infrastructure if Europe is to deliver on its many policy promises, from decarbonisation to affordable energy. In this #CriticalThinking article, Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer @VodafoneGroup, argues that connectivity is also essential to Europe's overall resilience, inclusion and strategic autonomy. Read the article here 👇 friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🤝After years of separation, could a new EU-UK defence partnership be on the horizon? Read this #CriticalThinking piece by former @NATO spokesperson and PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea on how London can demonstrate renewed commitment to collaboration with the rest of the continent ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🛡️Beyond the frontlines, Europe fends off internal attacks on democracy, disinformation and rising polarisation. How can we safeguard Europe's autonomy? In this #CriticalThinking article, PDS Senior Fellow Gabor Iklody examines how Russia is waging war inside Europe, and calls for European leaders to adapt and reform in response to these hybrid threats. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti… #Ukraine #Defence

🔑For decades, European ports were treated primarily as commercial gateways. Today, they are something far more important. But we need a European approach. In this #CriticalThinking article, MEP @susanasolisp lays out the key pillars a European Port Strategy must rest on in order to align with Europe's long-term interests — and argues that a successful Ports Strategy is not about closing doors. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🟢HAPPENING NOW | If used well, the Grids Package ccould revolutionise Europe's aging energy grids. Today, Friends of Europe partners with @Google for a #FoEDebate on how Europe can adequately invest in energy grids to give us a competitive boost. For this timely discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@Laura_Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks at the @IEA 🎙️Vilma Kaza, EMEA Sustainability & Energy Policy Lead at @Google 🎙️@ThPellerin, Member of @EP_Industry 🎙️Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General @Energy4Europe 🎙️ @micha_bloss, Member of @EP_Industry 🎥 Follow the event live here: tinyurl.com/3uekhv6e

🚨 Europe must take the fight to Russia. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe is still at war — but this war is different to what we've seen in the past. To adapt to this new hybrid warfare, we need to change our mindset. In this video, our PSD Senior Fellow Gabor Iklody urges European leaders to accept, adapt and overcome — because this is about Europe's survival. #StandWithUkraine

💶If the EU had a unified financial industry everyone would benefit, but progress remains painfully slow. In this #FranklySpeaking article, Founder of Friends of Europe Giles Merritt argues that in order to boost Europe's financial market, European leaders must first streamline it. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/frank…

🕊️Ukrainians have seen four years of war — how many more before peace comes? In this article, PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea takes stock of the Ukraine-Russia war and challenges Europe to not look away. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🇺🇦 Political solidarity for Ukraine is not words. It is delivering the weapons Ukraine needs to defend Europe. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe still struggles to turn political statements into action. In this video, our Senior Fellow for Peace Security and Defence, @MGongadze, highlights some key lessons for Europe from Ukraine’s experience: 🔹Political solidarity must be tangible. 🔹Decision-making must be coordinated. 🔹Military production must meet the challenge. 🔹Citizens must prepare individually. 🇪🇺 Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. #StandWithUkraine

❝The people don’t understand how it is to lose some territory. It’s like your body.❞ Today marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is not abstract - it is lived every day by civilians whose homes, cities and lives are under attack. For Maryna Bratash, a Ukrainian citizen speaking from Kyiv, war is not a geopolitical debate. It is a daily reality. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. The lessons of this war are urgent. Complacency will carry consequences far beyond Ukraine’s borders. #StandWithUkraine