{"id":1977,"date":"2026-06-01T15:17:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T15:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/epik.eu\/?post_type=publication&#038;p=1977"},"modified":"2026-06-01T15:17:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T15:17:46","slug":"eu-needs-new-security-partners-3","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/publication\/eu-needs-new-security-partners-3\/","title":{"rendered":"EU needs new security partners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"article-fs js-article-navigation\"\n         id=\"article-fs\"\n         data-section=\"article-fs\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"sticky-box-back\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/?page_id=906\" class=\"back-link\">\n                <svg width=\"7\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 7 12\" fill=\"none\"\n                     xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path d=\"M2.10703 5.65375L6.70703 1.05375L5.65328 0L-0.000469208 5.65375L5.65328 11.3075L6.70703 10.2538L2.10703 5.65375Z\"\n                          fill=\"#041259\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n                <span>Back to all posts<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"box\">\n            <div class=\"head-content\">\n                                    <div class=\"epik-tts-source\">\n                    <h1>\n                        EU needs new security partners                    <\/h1>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                    <h4>Europe needs closer security partnerships with a wider range of states, however small. This is how Europe will be able to defend its interests wherever they are at stake.<\/h4>                                <div class=\"author-date\">\n                    <div class=\"authors\">\n                                                                            <div class=\"author\">\n                                                    <div class=\"ava\">\n                                                                    \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"Klara Lindstrom 1\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"name\">\n                                    Nicu Popescu                                <\/div>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n                                                                                                    <div class=\"author\">\n                                                    <div class=\"ava\">\n                                                                    \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"Marushevska 1\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                                                            <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"name\">\n                                    Fredrik Wesslau                                <\/div>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"date-read\">\n                                                    <div class=\"date\">\n                                1 \u0427\u0435\u0440\u0432\u043d\u044f 2026                            <\/div>\n                                                                            <div class=\"read\">\n                                6 min read                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"img-caption\">\n                                                    <div class=\"img\">\n                                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nato-summit-1-1024x683.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nato-summit-1-1024x683.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source 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     <path d=\"M15.25 17.5L18.25 14.5L17.1875 13.4375L16 14.625V11.5H14.5V14.625L13.3125 13.4375L12.25 14.5L15.25 17.5ZM12.25 20V18.5H18.25V20H12.25ZM4 17V2H12L16 6V10H14.5V7H11V3.5H5.5V15.5H11V17H4Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path>\n                                        <\/svg>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                                        <div class=\"btn-wrap\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/?epik_article_pdf=1977&#038;ut_token=d1cfb5f0c0d74ae62ec22e388e25b31a\" class=\"btn small transp btn-print-pdf\" data-router-disabled=\"true\">\n                                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Print PDF<\/span>\n                                        <span class=\"svg-icon-wrap\">\n                                            <svg class=\"svg-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                                <path d=\"M15.25 17.5L18.25 14.5L17.1875 13.4375L16 14.625V11.5H14.5V14.625L13.3125 13.4375L12.25 14.5L15.25 17.5ZM12.25 20V18.5H18.25V20H12.25ZM4 17V2H12L16 6V10H14.5V7H11V3.5H5.5V15.5H11V17H4Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path>\n                                            <\/svg>\n                                        <\/span>\n                                    <\/a>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"size\">\n                    <div class=\"title\">Text size:<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"btns js-size-btns\">\n                        <button class=\"btn small s20 transp\"><span class=\"btn-text\">A-<\/span><\/button>\n                        <button class=\"btn small s22 active transp\"><span class=\"btn-text\">A<\/span><\/button>\n                        <button class=\"btn small s24 transp\"><span class=\"btn-text\">A+<\/span><\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n          \n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"content epik-tts-source\">\n                                                                                    <p style=\"font-weight: 400\">For decades, much of Europe viewed military engagement through the lens of NATO or the European Union, since these structures have long shaped how Europeans thought about conflict, deterrence, and security. But the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have exposed the limits of this approach. With cracks appearing in traditional alliances, new coalitions of the willing, partnerships, and security guarantees for countries outside established strategic frameworks are giving rise to a cat\u2019s-cradle architecture of European security.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ukraine illustrates this evolution most clearly. Instead of entering a formal alliance with Ukraine, Europeans have spun an intricate web of treaties and commitments offering varying degrees of reassurance and financing. Together, more than 20 bilateral security agreements have codified military support to Ukraine and established a \u201ccoalition of the willing\u201d that will contribute to that country\u2019s security after a ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Similarly, in the Middle East, European countries have deployed forces in a bid to protect Gulf infrastructure and maintain regional stability. While France has taken the most visible stance, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have also sent ships, air-defense systems, aircraft, and other capabilities to help defend Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, a wide range of countries\u2014including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Lithuania, and several partners outside the EU\u2014have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/joint-statement-from-the-leaders-of-the-united-kingdom-france-germany-italy-the-netherlands-and-japan-on-the-strait-of-hormuz-19-march-2026\">committed<\/a> to helping ensure freedom of navigation and regional security after the war.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">These European responses point to several new tendencies. The ad hoc coalitions that are emerging increasingly stretch across established alliance lines. Not only are NATO and EU countries acting together through groupings like the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Nordic-Baltic Eight, the Weimar Triangle, the Bucharest Nine, and various other intra-alliance frameworks. They also are expanding their security commitments vis-\u00e0-vis non-member states such as Ukraine, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The logic behind these choices is clear. Ukraine\u2019s security has become central to Europe\u2019s own. If Russia wins its war, resumes its attack after a ceasefire, or sets its sights on other regional targets, the threat to Europe would be immediate and severe. A Russian-controlled Ukraine\u2014with all its natural resources, human capital, and industrial capacity (particularly its new cutting-edge defense industries)\u2014would represent an existential strategic challenge not only for Poland and Germany, but also for France, Norway, Spain, and the rest of Europe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The same logic explains Europe\u2019s recent contributions to Middle East security. The Gulf monarchies\u2019 stability bears directly on Europe\u2019s energy security, economic outlook, and political dynamics. Europeans need to engage wherever their interests are directly at stake, including beyond the traditional alliance perimeter. Europe\u2019s accession states (those pursuing EU membership) remain \u201cgrey spots\u201d on the map\u2014strategically important, but, in this new world of flexible coalitions and shifting alliances, insufficiently protected.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The most critical is Moldova. After providing Ukraine and the Gulf monarchies with various security guarantees, it is only reasonable that Europe would design a similar architecture to ensure Moldova\u2019s peace and security, given the country\u2019s implications for European security.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Developments in recent months have shown why European security guarantees are necessary. In March, a Russian <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/moldova-ukraine-water-pollution-russia-war-15444cfde592efb1bc4862fe75458231\">strike<\/a> on a Ukrainian hydropower dam caused a massive oil spill in the Nistru River, contaminating Moldova\u2019s main water supply. Moldova\u2019s second-biggest city and multiple districts were left without clean water for weeks (until Romania and other EU members rushed to help). Then, a Russian drone <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/moldova-energy-power-line-russia-war-romania-europe-6eab12eb279528f7b5277fc1e175a01d\">strike<\/a> on Ukrainian territory damaged part of Moldova\u2019s electricity interconnector with Romania, underscoring a continuing risk from the war. Clearly, Russia has determined that it will face no costs for such behavior.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite these pressures, Moldova has stood firm. In March, it formally launched the process of joining the coalition of the willing supporting Ukraine\u2014a remarkable step for a constitutionally neutral country. This new stance reflects a hard-won understanding: even neutral states\u2019 security depends on solidarity and mutual defense.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another key region is the Western Balkans. With defense spending rising and geopolitical fault lines deepening, the risk of destabilization cannot be ruled out. Establishing coalitions of the willing to provide reassurance or collective security commitments to all accession states could help maintain stability and calm anxieties. Europe should formally guarantee the existing borders in the region, which would bolster its own credibility as a guarantor of peace, both within its borders and along its frontier.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Europe\u2019s security order needs to be reconstituted. In a world of fracturing alliances, closer security partnerships with a wider range of states, however small, will increasingly become a source of power, allowing Europe to defend its interests wherever they are at stake. Deepening defense links with EU accession states and offering security guarantees should be a top priority.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><em><strong>Nicu Popescu<\/strong>, a former deputy prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, and minister of European integration of Moldova, is Co-Director of the European Security Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><em><strong>Fredrik Wesslau<\/strong> is Acting Director of the European Policy Institute in Kyiv and a distinguished policy fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Copyright: The article was originally published by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.project-syndicate.org\/commentary\/eu-security-depends-on-wider-partnerships-guarantees-by-nicu-popescu-and-fredrik-wesslau-2026-04\">Project Syndicate<\/a>, 2026.<\/p>                                                \n                <div class=\"written-by\">\n            <div class=\"written-by__title\">Authors<\/div>\n        <div class=\"written-by__list\">\n                    <div class=\"written-by__item\">\n                                                            <div class=\"written-by__photo\">\n                                            \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Klara-Lindstrom-1-1-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"Klara Lindstrom 1\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                                            <\/div>\n                                    \n                <div class=\"written-by__content\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"written-by__name\">Nicu Popescu<\/span>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"written-by__item\">\n                                                            <div class=\"written-by__photo\">\n                                            \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marushevska-1-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"Marushevska 1\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                                            <\/div>\n                                    \n                <div class=\"written-by__content\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"written-by__name\">Fredrik Wesslau<\/span>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"btns-share-download\">\n\n                <div class=\"btn-share\">\n                   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This is how Europe will be able to defend its interests wherever they are at stake.<\/h4>            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card__authors\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/team\/fredrik-vesslau-3\/\" class=\"author-item\">\n            \n                    <div class=\"author-item__photo\">\n                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"author-item__name\">\u0424\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0440\u0456\u043a \u0412\u0435\u0441\u0441\u043b\u0430\u0443<\/span>\n                    <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/publication\/eu-needs-new-security-partners-4\/\" class=\"card__link\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card\">\n    <div class=\"card__photo\">\n                    \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ajdin-Kamber-Shutterstock-768x511.jpg.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ajdin-Kamber-Shutterstock-768x511.jpg.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ajdin-Kamber-Shutterstock-768x511.jpg 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ajdin-Kamber-Shutterstock-768x511.jpg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ajdin-Kamber-Shutterstock-768x511.jpg\"\n         width=\"768\"\n         height=\"511\"\n         alt=\"Brussels,,Belgium,,05,May,2023:,Volodymyr,Zelenskyy,,President,Of,Ukraine,\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                <picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture card__hover-gradient\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.webp\"\n                    type=\"image\/webp\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                    type=\"image\/png\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                  width=\"688\" height=\"350\"                 alt=\"Publication card hover gradient\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"card__content\">\n        <div class=\"card__tags\">\n                                            <div class=\"tag tag--commentaries\">\n                    Commentaries                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <h3 class=\"card__title\">EU needs new security partners<\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"card__description\">\n                <h4>Europe needs closer security partnerships with a wider range of states, however small. This is how Europe will be able to defend its interests wherever they are at stake.<\/h4>            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card__authors\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/team\/fredrik-vesslau-3\/\" class=\"author-item\">\n            \n                    <div class=\"author-item__photo\">\n                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/person-6@2x-150x150.jpg\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"author-item__name\">\u0424\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0440\u0456\u043a \u0412\u0435\u0441\u0441\u043b\u0430\u0443<\/span>\n                    <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/publication\/eu-needs-new-security-partners-2\/\" class=\"card__link\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card\">\n    <div class=\"card__photo\">\n                    \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drop-of-Light-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drop-of-Light-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drop-of-Light-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drop-of-Light-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drop-of-Light-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg\"\n         width=\"768\"\n         height=\"512\"\n         alt=\"Donetsk,Reg.,,Ukraine,-,Mar.,21,,2023:,War,Of,Russia\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                <picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture card__hover-gradient\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.webp\"\n                    type=\"image\/webp\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                    type=\"image\/png\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                  width=\"688\" height=\"350\"                 alt=\"Publication card hover gradient\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"card__content\">\n        <div class=\"card__tags\">\n                                            <div class=\"tag tag--commentaries\">\n                    Commentaries                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <h3 class=\"card__title\">EU needs new security partners<\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"card__description\">\n                <h4>Europe needs closer security partnerships with a wider range of states, however small. This is how Europe will be able to defend its interests wherever they are at stake.<\/h4>            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card__authors\">\n                <div class=\"author-item\">\n            \n                    <div class=\"author-item__photo\">\n                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bafkreigj4p5tx2m3yr57l6bfxaecwosqbukvxdzo6t26o7ks3672pcmzne-150x150.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bafkreigj4p5tx2m3yr57l6bfxaecwosqbukvxdzo6t26o7ks3672pcmzne-150x150.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bafkreigj4p5tx2m3yr57l6bfxaecwosqbukvxdzo6t26o7ks3672pcmzne-150x150.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bafkreigj4p5tx2m3yr57l6bfxaecwosqbukvxdzo6t26o7ks3672pcmzne-150x150.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bafkreigj4p5tx2m3yr57l6bfxaecwosqbukvxdzo6t26o7ks3672pcmzne-150x150.webp\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"author-item__name\">Nicu Popescu<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/publication\/eu-needs-new-security-partners\/\" class=\"card__link\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card\">\n    <div class=\"card__photo\">\n                    \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Credit-Fly-Of-Swallow-Studio-768x512.jpg.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Credit-Fly-Of-Swallow-Studio-768x512.jpg.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Credit-Fly-Of-Swallow-Studio-768x512.jpg 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Credit-Fly-Of-Swallow-Studio-768x512.jpg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Credit-Fly-Of-Swallow-Studio-768x512.jpg\"\n         width=\"768\"\n         height=\"512\"\n         alt=\"European,Union,Soldier.,Soldier,With,Flag,Europe,,Eu,Flag,On\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>                <picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture card__hover-gradient\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.webp\"\n                    type=\"image\/webp\">\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                    type=\"image\/png\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/themes\/epik\/img\/gradients\/card-hover-gradient.png\"\n                  width=\"688\" height=\"350\"                 alt=\"Publication card hover gradient\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"card__content\">\n        <div class=\"card__tags\">\n                                            <div class=\"tag tag--commentaries\">\n                    Commentaries                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <h3 class=\"card__title\">EU needs new security partners<\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"card__description\">\n                <p>Europe needs closer security partnerships with a wider range of states, however small. This is how Europe will be able to defend its interests wherever they are at stake.<\/p>            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"card__authors\">\n                <div class=\"author-item\">\n            \n                    <div class=\"author-item__photo\">\n                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nicolae-Popescu-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nicolae-Popescu-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nicolae-Popescu-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nicolae-Popescu-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nicolae-Popescu-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"author-item__name\">Nicu Popescu<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"author-item\">\n            \n                    <div class=\"author-item__photo\">\n                \n<picture class=\"lazyWebpPicture\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KV_03436-1-150x150.png.webp 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/webp-express\/webp-images\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KV_03436-1-150x150.png.webp 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KV_03436-1-150x150.png 1x, https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KV_03436-1-150x150.png 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KV_03436-1-150x150.png\"\n         width=\"150\"\n         height=\"150\"\n         alt=\"\"\n         loading=\"lazy\"\n         >\n<\/picture>            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"author-item__name\">Fredrik Wesslau<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/epik.eu\/uk\/publication\/eu-security\/\" class=\"card__link\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1981,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false},"publication-theme":[21,32,40,22,24,26],"publication-type":[18,29],"class_list":["post-1977","publication","type-publication","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","publication-theme-eu-accession","publication-theme-european-security","publication-theme-ukrainian-security","publication-theme-theme-1","publication-theme-theme-2","publication-type-commentaries"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - 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