David McAllister: “The European Union must be able to fulfil and defend its own strategic objectives on the international stage.”
The EU’s reaction to Russian aggression in Ukraine is more than just an act of solidarity—it is a defining test of its credibility as a global power.
This was the emphatic message delivered by David McAllister, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, following the adoption of the 2024 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
In a statement that underscored the gravity of the geopolitical landscape, McAllister asserted that the European Parliament had reaffirmed its central role in shaping and scrutinising the EU’s foreign policy.
“The European Union must be able to fulfil and defend its own strategic objectives on the international stage,” he declared, making it clear that the EU cannot afford to waver in its commitment to Ukraine or in its broader foreign policy agenda.
Holding Firm Against Russian Aggression
At the core of the report lies an unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s illegal and brutal war against Ukraine. The European Parliament has called out Moscow’s escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, the forced abduction of Ukrainian children, and its wider efforts to dismantle international law.
For McAllister and his colleagues, the EU’s response must go beyond rhetorical opposition. The report demands a significant increase in humanitarian, military, and financial aid to Ukraine. Crucially, it also endorses the full use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction—a move that, if enacted, would mark a decisive financial and political blow to the Kremlin.
“The EU’s response to this war is not only an act of solidarity—it is a defining test of our credibility as a global actor committed to the rules-based international order,” McAllister stated. The message is clear: Europe’s stance on Ukraine is not just about defending one nation’s sovereignty, but about upholding fundamental principles that define the global order.
A crucial aspect of the EU’s foreign policy approach is its strategy on enlargement.
The European Parliament has welcomed the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While enlargement is often seen through the lens of economic and political integration, McAllister framed it as a geostrategic investment—a recognition that extending the EU’s sphere of stability and democratic governance is vital for Europe’s long-term security.
However, the report also voices deep concerns over Georgia’s democratic backsliding and the conduct of its 2024 elections. This is a stark reminder that while the EU extends a hand to prospective members, adherence to democratic values remains non-negotiable.
Beyond Ukraine, the EU’s credibility depends on its ability to engage in principled diplomacy and build stronger international partnerships. The report makes it clear that relations with Turkey must remain conditional on alignment with EU values and CFSP principles.
Looking further afield, the EU is urged to step up its engagement with the Southern Neighbourhood, deepen political and economic ties in Central Asia, and assert a stronger presence in the Indo-Pacific. Enhanced cooperation with NATO and other global partners remains essential to safeguarding European interests and promoting global stability.
The European Parliament has set out clear CFSP objectives for 2025, focusing on three critical priorities: addressing the global fallout from Russia’s aggression, countering the rise of authoritarian influence, and strengthening the EU’s strategic sovereignty.
This is no small task. The international arena is increasingly unpredictable, with conflicts in the Middle East, great power competition, and the rise of autocratic regimes challenging the EU’s ability to act as a unified and effective global player.
Yet, the European Parliament’s latest report articulates a foreign policy vision that is both values-based and forward-looking. It reinforces the EU’s responsibility to stand firm for democracy, multilateralism, and the international rules-based order.
As McAllister aptly put it, “The EU must act as a principled and effective global actor—standing firm for peace, democracy, and multilateralism in an increasingly uncertain world.”
The EU’s response to Russia is not just a test of solidarity with Ukraine; it is a test of Europe’s strategic resolve, its capacity for leadership, and its place in the global order. How it responds in the coming months and years will define its credibility for a generation.
Photographer: Emilie GOMEZ © European Union 2025 – Source : EP Usage terms: Identification of origin mandatory
