In a first for Europe since 🇷🇺's invasion of Ukraine, France and Germany are sending Western-made armored fighting vehicles to 🇺🇦. Our experts break down what this could mean.
Atlantic Council Europe Center
@ACEurope
Official feed of Europe Center, promoting transatlantic leadership & strategy required to ensure a strong Europe #StrongerWithAllies
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🗳 Recent polling shows that the Russian invasion of 🇺🇦 has sparked profound shifts in European and US public opinion. Read the 🧵 for a country-by-country breakdown ⬇️ (1/8)
“If we were to accept for one moment that Putin could be successful in Ukraine, that he would get Kyiv, that he get would the whole country, it won’t end there," said 🇳🇱 PM Mark Rutte . "History has taught us that.”
Recap the #ACFrontPage 🔽
🇩🇪: A historic shift—78% of Germans support 🇩🇪’s landmark defense policies announced on Sunday. More than 60% of Germans view Putin differently following the 🇺🇦 invasion. 81% perceive 🇷🇺 as a threat to Germany’s security.
Source: 👉 bit.ly/3vzcoxp (4/8)
📅 REGISTER, Apr 19, 9am ET | Italy's Chief of Defense Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone joins to discuss the future of security in Europe & the Mediterranean and developments in 🇮🇹 defense planning.
Join us in-person:
atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conver
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🇺🇸: 77% believe US should place additional economic sanctions on 🇷🇺 (up from 69% last week) and over 2/3 believe Russian President Putin is most to blame for the crisis (up from 50% last week).
Source: 👉 bit.ly/3K7AWla (3/8)
What structural decarbonization and counter-kleptocracy reforms are needed in the response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine? , , and join for a discussion today 12:30pm ET/4:30pm GMT/17hr30 CET.
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🇬🇧: The percentage of Brits who view 🇷🇺 as a “hostile threat” almost doubled following the invasion, from 34% to 64%. The share of Brits seeing 🇺🇸 as a “friend and ally” rose from 36% to 50%.
Source: 👉 bit.ly/3sxf10J (2/8)
🇸🇪 "What the ongoing Aurora 2023 exercise demonstrates is that Sweden’s military capabilities and geography make it a key security provider for the northeastern flank and for the Alliance as a whole," write & .
Read more:
🇫🇷: 88% are shocked by Moscow’s invasion. 41% believe 🇫🇷 should send military & humanitarian equipment to 🇺🇦. 50% trust President Macron’s handling of the crisis—significantly more than rival presidential candidates.
Source : 👉 bit.ly/3K9ndKt (6/8)
We are delighted to announce as a new nonresident senior fellow! Dave keeps a pulse on the EU and explains European politics with France24. Catch Dave on Twitter, TV, and in the press:
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🇫🇮: Finnish polls indicate historic shifts in attitude to #NATO membership. For the first time ever, a majority (53%) support 🇫🇮 joining NATO. In 2017, only 19% were in favor of joining the Alliance.
Source:👉 bit.ly/3tlgg2p (7/8)
Pres Zelenskyy’s application for 🇺🇦 to join the EU and the 🇪🇺Parliament’s vote welcoming Ukraine’s candidacy have sparked a trend as Georgia & Moldova have also now applied for membership.
Does this mean 🇺🇦, 🇬🇪, & 🇲🇩 are becoming #EU members? Not quite..🧵Thread (1/8)
This change in 🇩🇪 thinking will usher in new debates about Germany’s strategic culture that policymakers in Berlin must confront, argues . Read his analysis of the sea change in Germany: bit.ly/3KebFWi (5/8)
It was a pleasure to host today on his visit across the pond to Washington for a look at 🇺🇸-🇬🇧 relations and his perspectives on the future of British foreign policy
It was a pleasure to host 🇩🇪 's Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz on his visit to Washington to discuss transatalntic & 🇺🇸-🇩🇪 military cooperation and the upcoming Air Defender 2023 exercise in Germany.
Check out our work on all things Germany: atlanticcouncil.org/region/germany/
We're delighted to announce that is joining the Europe Center as a nonresident senior fellow. Welcome to the , Ilva!
Checkout Ilva's bio here ⬇️
atlanticcouncil.org/expert/ilva-ta
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"The UK is very much not doing enough. By comparison... to Canada... and the United States... Britain has committed to take 20,000 vulnerable Afghans, but has not brought this scheme to fruition."
📅 TOMORROW: joins for an #ACFrontPage on the future of transatlantic relations and shared priorities for 🇬🇧, 🇺🇸, & 🇪🇺, with .
Register + watch:
Today we're launching an exciting new opportunity for Central Europeans: the Atlanticist Fellowship! Learn more about the application and apply today at ow.ly/1uZR30jbgyN #AtlanticistFellowship
NATO membership for 🇸🇪 and 🇫🇮 "would demonstrate that Russia cannot rule by intimidation or deny European nations the right to make sovereign decisions about their own security."
makes the case for Sweden and Finland's NATO membership:
Great to bring the Europe Center team together in Washington from around the globe to plan for an exciting fall and beyond. Stay tuned for all things transatlantic 🇺🇸🤝🇪🇺
Join us June 11th for “Greece as a Geostrategic Ally.” @USAmbPyatt, , and George Chouliarakis, moderated by , will discuss Greece’s critical involvement in NATO amid rising competition in the Eastern Mediterranean. RSVP: ow.ly/8QHN50uvF3x
We're so thrilled to share that will honor multi-Grammy Award-winning artist for her musical achievements & commitment to empowering the next generation of Balkan leaders! Tune into tomorrow, Nov 10th, at 7:00pm EST to watch. #ACawards
LIVE—An #ACFrontPage conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and discussing Kosovo's efforts to fight corruption, talks with Serbia, and steps towards joining the EU
"Remember that Nazi Germany allowed Jews to leave in earlier periods. That doesn't mean they weren't at risk at persecution... We can't assume that just because [the Taliban may let at-risk people] leave now, they may not do so [for much longer]."
📊 We're delighted to present our report by on "Squaring the #EnergyTransition Circle in #SE_Europe and the #EastMed" with the support of .
Read the report and explore policy recommendations ⬇️:
"Germany has woken up. Now, it must stay awake."
and Jörn Fleck break down the news on Germany's precedent-shattering shifts in defense spending, arming Ukraine, and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
🇫🇮-🇸🇪: "Finnish accession to NATO without Sweden would leave the Alliance with a strategic challenge in the middle of the Baltic Sea region," write and .
Read more 🔽
bit.ly/3DSANl0
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#Transatlantic attitudes toward Russia are converging. As #Europe and the US enter a new chapter, follow and for timely analysis, and sign up for the #ACEuropeWatch newsletter for weekly roundups: bit.ly/3rlRgbp (8/8)
#ACFrontPage EVENT- THURSDAY, 9:00 am EDT / 15:00 hrs CEST
President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić will discuss Serbia's domestic agenda and foreign policy priorities with and .
REGISTER HERE⬇️
What would a realist British foreign policy be? For this week's #BritainDebrief, Senior Fellow spoke to about UK grand strategy and the great powers, Johnson's foreign policy, and dangers of seeking a "global" role.
"The mood among Germans... are very openly shocked, stunned, and shaken about the world and Germany's role in it... It is possible that this is the beginning of how Germany sees Russia and... I have to say, I understand and share the frustration of our allies."
🗣️ says elites in E. Europe approach historical injustice in a “disingenuous way” and that the search for truth “should be brought forward by actors in society that do it for the right reason.”
Catch the full #BalkansDebrief with : bit.ly/3EhgVZx
We're thrilled to announce that is joining the Europe Center team as our newest nonresident senior fellow! Welcome back to the !
Keep up with 's latest commentary & analysis:
atlanticcouncil.org/expert/mark-bo
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So what’s the process?
1⃣ 🇺🇦 submits an application to the Council (🇺🇦did this)
2⃣ 🇪🇺Commission issues an opinion if 🇺🇦 complies with set criteria
3⃣ If the opinion is positive, the Council must agree unanimously to grant 🇺🇦 candidate status
More: 3/9 bit.ly/3pzpirv
#FastThinking⚡️ - Breaking down the European response to Belarusian air piracy and arrest of dissident blogger Roman Protasevich with
atlanticcouncil.org/content-series
🇸🇪 "What the ongoing Aurora 2023 exercise demonstrates is that Sweden’s military capabilities and geography make it a key security provider for the northeastern flank and for the Alliance as a whole," write & .
Read more:
🇪🇺 "European countries have been struggling for years to build cohesion and ambition on defense. Putin made it happen in three days." 🇺🇦
Nonresident senior fellow details the price of Putin's war in Ukraine.
Ahead of Sunday's election when #FranceVotes for its next president, 🇬🇧, 🇩🇪 + @JeremieGallon🇪🇺 join to discuss views on the election from key European capitals. 🇫🇷🗳️ twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1
"With twenty-nine allies already having ratified 🇸🇪’s membership, failure to fully admit Sweden undermines unity within the Alliance and makes look weak and fragmented," write & .
Read more 🔽
At event, President of Estonia says the “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp #ThreeSeas opportunity. bit.ly/2xc0ltR #ThreeSeas
🚨 BREAKING NEWS - Today the European Commission unveiled two long-awaited legislative proposals—the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA).
What are the new draft rules? Why do they matter for the transatlantic partnership? Follow our 🧵 to learn more. (1)
Read → Ambassador Dan Fried and Senior Fellow discuss “The Kremlin Report”, a list of Russian oligarchs and their wealth and business interests to be published by the Treasury Department on Jan. 29th: news.vice.com/en_ca/article/ (via )
"🇸🇪 & 🇫🇮's NATO membership completely remakes the Alliance’s Northeastern flank, significantly contributing to the defense of the Baltic States and Arctic,” write & in .
Read more 🔽
What future for Hong Kong? Senior Fellow interviews for #BritainDebrief on what Britain and the United States can do for Hong Kong's plight.
.'s is honored with Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Award for his efforts to bolster US-Central European relations and the transatlantic alliance . #GLOBSEC2018 #StrongerWithAllies
.@USAmbPyatt at this morning: It's about defining a strategic relationship with #Greece that transcends politics. Follow LIVE: bit.ly/2IBFKAZ #StrongerwithAllies
On July 16 at 4pm we kick off our flagship Central Europe conference w/ the US launch of & 's report: The United States and Central Europe: Tasks for a Second Century Together (bit.ly/2QPLbA0) RSVP: bit.ly/2LhYVE3 #StrongerWithAllies
🇫🇮-🇸🇪: "Finnish accession to NATO without Sweden would leave the Alliance with a strategic challenge in the middle of the Baltic Sea region," write and .
Read more 🔽
bit.ly/3DSANl0
Mayor of Warsaw and discuss the close Polish-American relationship, the impact of #COVID19, and the situation on the ground in Warsaw, for #CentralEuropeWeek
How will Germany’s new China strategy develop? joins for an #AtlanticDebrief to discuss relations with China in view of Germany’s strategic dependencies and China’s challenges to the international rules-based system
LIVE― Prime Minister of Montenegro and discuss Montenegro`s domestic politics, Russian malign influence in the Western Balkans, and more! #BalkansForward
We were delighted to host H.E. , Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, this morning at the . Missed the event? Watch the conversation here: ow.ly/S6kr30o5Ao8 #StrongerWithAllies
WEDNESDAY June 24: We host German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer for an #ACfrontpage conversation on resilience and the transatlantic alliance! Register: bit.ly/3fKkDvq
🧵: “The Kremlin’s invasion may have slowed to a war of attrition against the Ukrainian military—but it still has enough tools at its disposal to escalate the war,” write , , & .
See the thread 🔽 for options to respond to 🇷🇺 escalation:
📅 Jan. 12, 10:30 am | joins the for a discussion on the role of Western unity and support for Ukraine.
Register & join us 🔽
. delegation led by , Dan Fried, and 's Richard Morningstar meet with @USAmbPyatt and ahead of Delphi Econ Forum. Looking forward to an interesting forum over the next few days, follow along using #delphi_forum!
We’re recruiting candidates for another #AtlanticistFellowship—applications due May 25! Visit our website for the application and more information about the program: bit.ly/2I4QYMX
President updates on his meetings in Washington: positive, constructive, US Admin shows full support for #Kosovo. bit.ly/2Q4bNjD #BalkansForward
In 2017, France withstood a coordinated misinformation campaign meant to undermine the candidacy of Emmanuel Macron and interfere with other national elections. #DigitalSherlocks atlanticcouncil.org/publications/r
"The problem of an unreliable 🇭🇺 will long outlast this foot-dragging over 🇸🇪 and 🇫🇮," writes , "and allies should start looking for appropriate tools to deal with an outlier that’s weakening the system from within."
Read more 🔽
New year, new us! We're thrilled to announce that on Feb. 2, we'll launch the Europe Center. We have exciting changes ahead this spring, but this hasn't changed: we're still promoting transatlantic relations with a strong Europe to tackle common challenges
Thank you to all who joined our #BalkansForward workshop today! Special thanks to and for partnering with us on this important series of discussions. We look forward to hosting everyone at tomorrow for our conference!
🇸🇪 & 🇫🇮 bring many capabilities to #NATO. To fully seize opportunities, regional Allies must use their collective weight to set the agenda & secure resources to benefit all Allies’ security, argue , , & .
Read more 🔽
LIVE―Orienting European Security. Dep SecGen Charles Fries + discuss the Strategic Compass & 🇪🇺-🇺🇸 security cooperation
What has the newly adopted #EU enlargement methodology changed for #Albania & #NorthMacedonia? Will reversibility work w/ less-than substantial pre-accession funds? Pierre Mirel discusses this and more on #BalkansDebrief with for #BalkansDebrief twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1
French Minister of State for European Affairs on the future of Europe after COVID-19: "Europeans know that they must once again speak the language of power, without losing sight of the grammar of cooperation."
Read the essay here:
bit.ly/32ujh3Y
Thank you to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Radmila Šekerinska for joining us at today to discuss Macedonia’s defense priorities, threats to regional stability, and prospects for #NATO accession! #StrongerWithAllies
📆 Mark your calendars for Nov. 18 at 8:30 a.m. EST!
, the newly elected leader of the Hungarian opposition will join us for a spotlight interview as part of #CentralEuropeWeek.
REGISTER HERE ⬇️
bit.ly/3ogUrhU
Tuesday, 4pm ❗
Czech Foreign Minister joins to share the view from Prague on Ukraine, Russia, and how to bolster the transatlantic alliance.
Sign up 🔽
🇪🇺 "The war in Ukraine is a turning point...This moment should help us move beyond old taboos." 🇺🇦
+ on how the EU should bolster Europe's defense capabilities.
politico.eu/article/ukrain
We're thrilled to announce that is joining the Europe Center team as our newest nonresident senior fellow! Welcome to the , Valbona!
Keep up with Valbona's latest commentary & analysis: bit.ly/3XZxVe1
#FranceVotes for its next president this Sunday. interviews and who discuss takeaways from last night's presidential debate + the potential implications of this election on France's foreign policy 🇫🇷🗳️
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If negotiations close, an accession treaty can be signed. The treaty must have the support of the 🇪🇺Council,
Commission, and Parliament. It must also be ratified by all 🇪🇺members.
Timeline? At least 5 years
See how long Croatia’s entry took: 6/8
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🇪🇺 accession is a fundamentally member state-driven process via the European Council, where each member state is represented, not the European Parliament (and the EP’s resolution lacks legal force)
More on the distinction here: 2/8 op.europa.eu/webpub/com/eu-
. and officially launch our report on "The United States and Central Europe: Tasks for a Second Century Together" at the #GLOBSEC2019 Forum with Amb. Dan Fried, , , , Amb. Mirošič, Pavol Demeš. #StrongerwithAllies
Are we on the brink in Ukraine — and what does it mean for Britain? interviewed , just back from Kyiv.
We were excited to welcome back to the today for a conversation on Central European leadership in the transatlantic response to Ukraine.
LIVE: Baltic perspectives on Russia | 🇱🇹 , 🇱🇻 , & 🇪🇪 join for a joint discussion.
What comes next for the #WesternBalkans following the #EU Council's decision? Will regional cooperation improve? and discuss further with on the latest #BalkansDebrief.
🚨WATCH NOW🚨
How can 🇺🇸 and 🇮🇹 chart the next century of diplomatic relations? Tune in as and Former Prime Minister Giuliano Amato discuss! #ItalyUS160
WATCH:
Is there a political will to normalize the relations between Kosovo and Serbia? speaks to who recently visited the north of Kosovo amid the latest crisis. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1
. hosts Three Seas Initiative roundtable at w/ Estonian President , US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, Ministers of @MZZRS and among many others #3SI
. of provides a chilling but much-needed picture of the disinfo ecosystem and the Kremlin toolkit at #DisinfoWeek Europe, Brussels edition. #DisinfoWeek #DefendDemocracy
✍️ REGISTER NOW | Join us on Sept 19, 11am ET, for a fireside conversation with , Prime Minister of 🇲🇪, on Montenegro's EU path, #WesternBalkans, & the fight against corruption and organized crime. #BalkansForward
Register 🔽
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The lesson from the mid-2010s refugee crisis is that imposing a resettlement quota will face resistance and will eventually cause the whole resettlement system to collapse.
🗓️Save the date! On Monday, Oct. 26 we kickstart our virtual event series, #CentralEuropeWeek: Charting a Post-COVID-19 Future Together. We'll highlight US-Central European ties & hear from policymakers, experts, and artists! Stay tuned for agenda updates! bit.ly/2FLF92v
✍️ REGISTER NOW | Join us on Sept 19, 11am ET, for a fireside conversation with , Prime Minister of 🇲🇪, on Montenegro's EU path, #WesternBalkans, & the fight against corruption and organized crime. #BalkansForward
Register 🔽
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"It is certainly true that there are many wealthy countries like Japan, China, many Middle Eastern countries, that could at least make a financial contribution [to resettlement]."
Thank you all for joining such a timely conversation with the #V4 Political Directors! The wide range of issues covered included #Ukraine, EU enlargement to the #WesternBalkans, #energysecurity and NATO. Special thanks to and ! #V4Connects #HUV4Pres
Anti-system movements try to fill a representative gap left in societies as a response to technocratic decision-making in Europe and the United States, says .
Catch the full #BalkansDebrief with : bit.ly/3EhgVZx
We were pleased to host 🇳🇱 Prime Minister Mark Rutte with for an excellent conversation on continued transatlantic responses to 🇷🇺's war in Ukraine. #ACFrontPage
Catch the full discussion: atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conver
🚨 Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 4pm
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte speaks with at a special #ACFrontPage in partnership with on the future of the transatlantic alliance.
Register in-person or watch online 🔽
🇸🇪 "At stake in Vilnius is not only the security of Sweden and the Alliance as a whole, but ’s open-door credibility," write & .
Read more 🔽

