EUROPE’S QUEST FOR STRATEGIC AUTONOMY - A Liberal Intergovernmentalism Approach to the Initiatives of the CSDP introduced amidst the Russian Invasions of Ukraine (2014 and 2022)

Abstract: In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape marked by the Russian invasions of Ukraine between 2014 and 2022, the European Union’s security and defence policy approaches have garnered significant attention. This research critically examines the adaptations within the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) initiatives in this context. Positioned against this backdrop, the study adopts the Liberal Intergovernmentalism (LI) theoretical framework to interpret the nuances and implications of the CSDP measures, further evaluating their alignment with the EU’s ambitions of strategic autonomy (SA). Utilizing a robust research strategy, the analysis extensively harnesses content analysis of official documents sourced from EU institutions. Central to the discourse is the noticeable dichotomy between the EU’s transformative steps within its CSDP amidst the Russian invasions and its journey towards achieving comprehensive strategic autonomy. The findings underscore the integral role of member states’ national interests, intergovernmental negotiations, and the balancing act between fostering European defence collaborations and maintaining strong ties with international allies, notably NATO. Concluding insights spotlight the EU’s pragmatic approach to navigating security challenges, while recommendations emphasize the potential of expanding the analytical spectrum and exploring the dynamics of NATO-EU relations more profoundly in future studies.