The European security architecture is being reorganised due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s antagonistic attitude towards Europe. This CEPS Policy Brief looks at the challenges that Europe faces in building up the European pillar of NATO, while introducing various other possible coalitions. It also assesses the role of third countries – with a specific focus on Turkey – as an enabler and possible spoiler of European security.
Three recommendations are provided to help policymakers find the right modus operandi for EU-Turkey bilateral ties. Specifically, these are: (1) policymakers must do everything possible to avoid both decoupling from Turkey but also becoming overdependent on it, particularly in critical regions like the Black Sea; (2) work should be undertaken to secure a pragmatic EU-Turkey security partnership through innovative institutional arrangements; and (3) there needs to be investment in areas of key mutual interest while upholding the EU’s commitments and values, with key Member States stepping up to act as strategic bridges.
