Full newsletter here

Quote this publication

Matelly, S.  “The European Moment”, Newsletter, Jacques Delors Institute, March 2025

Here we are. In recent days, history has accelerated so rapidly that it is dizzying. After a phone call with Vladimir Putin on February 12, initial meetings between Russian and American delegations in Riyadh on February 18 and then in Istanbul, on February 28—also the date of the tense meeting between the U.S. President, Vice President, and the Ukrainian President—Donald Trump announced this Monday that he was cutting all aid to Ukraine and halting all military equipment deliveries in the coming days.

For Europeans, this is an existential moment. The French might call it a “Gaullian moment,” but it perhaps more closely resembles a “Churchillian moment,” referencing the time when, after the disaster of the Battle of Dunkirk, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill urged his country to do its duty. Indeed, on Sunday, during the London summit, they reassured President Zelensky of their support and expressed their determination to commit to a lasting peace in Ukraine. However, they remained hesitant to consider a shift in the transatlantic relationship. Yet, the withdrawal of American support for Ukraine is likely to force them into difficult choices in the coming days and weeks. Should they continue supporting Ukraine and demand credible security guarantees—do they even have the means to do so (and not just financial means)? Should they resign themselves to accepting the ceasefire desired by the U.S. President—but under what conditions, and with what consequences?

Confronting this reality will have serious consequences for Europe, requiring an immediate and total shift in strategic thinking and culture, along with sacrifices that Europeans may not be prepared for. On the other hand, backing down would irreparably damage the credibility of European integration—both within Europe and internationally—as well as Europe’s ability to stand as a bulwark against absolutism and the complete dismantling of the international order established after World War II.

The results of the German elections two weeks ago are concerning, given the unprecedented success of the far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which has received overt support from some within Donald Trump’s circle. However, the victory of Friedrich Merz, a staunch European who has taken clear and somewhat disruptive positions in Germany on European defense and transatlantic relations, is reassuring in contrast. Likewise, the ambitious and pragmatic initiative of the European Commission through the “REARM Europe” plan, unveiled this Tuesday, suggests that progress is possible. The key question now is how this proposal will be received by the member states on Thursday and whether it will be followed by strong actions and decisive commitments—whatever the cost.

Once again, we have followed this historic acceleration with determination and commitment this past month, and we will continue to do so in the months ahead. On February 17, we—the directors and presidents of the “Three Sisters” in Berlin, Brussels, and Paris—published an op-ed calling  for stopping Donald Trump: One Month into Trump: Europe’s hour. In her monthly blog post, Nicole Gnesotto underscored how Trumpism represents a new revisionist ideology of the century, while Bertrand de Cordoue questioned the objectives of the forthcoming White Paper on the Future of European Defense: A White Paper on the Future of European Defense: What For?.

But strengthening Europe and making it more resilient also means supporting its growth, competitiveness, and transition to a decarbonized economy, as well as advancing its enlargement. It is with this perspective in mind that we structure our work—with the ambition to analyze, explain, and also provide concrete proposals. In this context, the infographic by Phuc-Vinh Nguyen and Andreas Eisl explores the role of competitiveness as Europe’s compass in navigating the climate storm. Our policy paper on an European framework for state aid within the Industrial Pact for a Clean Industry and the policy brief “Delivering on Draghi – How to Finally Get Real about the EU’s Clean Industrial Strategy“, by Nils Redeker and Philipp Jäger from Berlin, deepen the reflection on the challenges of competitiveness and the energy transition. Meanwhile, Sophie Pornschlegel and Elena Schneider from Europe Jacques Delors present the Clean Industrial Deal, a new flagship initiative to boost Europe’s green economy.

“Do we have the human, moral, economic and social strength to choose survival rather than decline? That is the question before us” asked Jacques Delors on October 13, 1993, before the European Parliament. The answer may become clear very soon!

Sylvie Matelly

Director of the Jacques Delors Institute