Crisis-Tested Europe – Solidarity with Ukraine Spurs European identity

Abstract

Ever since its foundation, the European Union (EU) has struggled to develop a collective “European identity”, while being exposed to the challenges of globalization, financial disturbances, migration, Brexit, and the coronavirus. However, the hitherto unimaginable Russian inroad on neighboring Ukraine is about to spur a new wave of solidarity. The present analysis underlines the added value of European integration, which is particularly cherished in times of crisis. However, this should not obscure the differences in political history, economic structures, and diverging challenges in the member states. Notwithstanding the Ukraine crisis, the idea of a full-fletched political union is still a long way off, and it is, therefore, worth aiming for second-best solutions, such as some form of differentiated further integration. The ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe offers an opportunity to evaluate such concepts, including a major revision of the EU’s security strategy.

Keywords: Globalisation, migration, liberal and illiberal democracy, European identity, euro crisis, Brexit, COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine conflict, differentiated integration

JEL Classification: A12, E58, E65, F15, F22, F36, F45, F52, F60, G28, H87, I18, J15, K38, N14