By Zhao Huaipu, Professor at the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University 21-09-2024

In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the relationship between the European Union (EU) and NATO has reached new levels of cooperation, driven by mutualinterests in enhancing security and defense capabilities across the European continent. As the global landscape continues to shift, both organizations have taken steps to address emerging threats and ensure that their defense strategies are aligned.

This evolving partnership reflects a broader effort to adapt to a rapidly changing security environment, but italso faces significant challenges rooted in structural tensions, competing priorities, and internal divisions.

Global NATO and the EU’s Strategic Alignment

The EU’s foreign and defense policy is increasingly aligning with NATO’s global vision, particularly regarding its strategic focus on the Asia-Pacific. As part of its broader competition with China, the United States has pushed NATO to expand its focus toward the Asia-Pacific region. In response, the EU has developed its own Indo-Pacific strategy and is working closely with NATO and the US to promote “de-risked” supply chains and defend the international order. While the EU remains cautious about overt military cooperation in Asia, it is likely to contribute to NATO’s presence in the region through non-military initiatives, including the expansion of maritime security operations.

Challenges and Constraints on EU-NATO Relations

Despite these advancements, several constraints continue to limit the full potential of EU-NATO cooperation. The most significant obstacle is the structural tension between the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and its reliance on NATO, which is largely influenced by the United States. While the EU seeks to develop its own defense capabilities and reduce its dependency on US leadership, the Biden administration’s continuation of “America First” policies, albeit in a less confrontational manner than under Trump, complicates this aspiration. The possibility of a Trump return to power after the 2024 US elections only heightens EU concerns, further fueling its desire for greater independence in defense matters.

There is also a growing sense of competition between the EU’s defense ambitions and NATO’s established role. The EU has made considerable progress in defense integration, developing capabilities that allow it to act independently in certain situations. However, NATO remains the dominant security actor in Europe, and any significant expansion of the EU’s defense role could lead to friction between the two organizations.

Internally, the EU faces its own set of challenges in achieving strategic autonomy. Leadership within the bloc is weakened by differences between member states, particularly the diverging views of France and Germany on security matters. While France champions a stronger, more independent European defense capability, Germany remains more cautious, especially given its coalition government’s internal constraints. Furthermore, EU member states differ on the best ways to strengthen defense capabilities, creating internal friction that hampers the development of a cohesive foreign and security policy.

Increased Coordination and Strategic Reinforcement

One of the most significant developments in recent years is the intensification of coordination between the EU and NATO. Both organizations have committed to “mutual reinforcement,” aiming to enhance overall defense capabilities and ensuresynergy in their strategic planning. Frequent participation in eachother’shigh-level meetings has become a norm, fostering better consistency in their approaches to security and defense.

Since the Ukraine crisis, the EU and NATO have launched new defense initiatives to strengthen rapid deployment capabilities. NATO has introduced a high-readiness force of 300,000 troops, while the EU has established a 5,000-strong rapidreaction force.

 These moves under score the EU’sgrowing role as a security actorwithin the NATO framework, contributing to the concept of a stronger “Europeanpillar” in NATO’soverall defense posture. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, alongwith the EU’s initiation of member ship talk swith Ukraine and Moldova, highlights the ongoing territorial and strategic expansion of both organizations in the European theater.

Expanding Cooperation Beyond Defense

The EU-NATO partnership has extended beyond traditional defense cooperation, encompassing a wide array of security-related issues. Both organizations are now focused on critical infrastructure protection, space, emerging technologies, climate change, and information warfare, reflecting the broadened scope of modern security challenges. Notably, infrastructure resilience has emerged as a critical area of cooperation, particularly in the context of the transatlantic economy’svulnerability following the Ukraine crisis. Investments in dual-use infrastructure, removal of legalbarriers for cross-border military operations, and securing transportation networks have become joint priorities.

Additionally, the EU and NATO are deepening collaboration on the research and development of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities. This not only strengthens their own security frameworks but also has significant implications for global powers like China, as the transatlantic alliance seeks to maintainitst echnologicaledge in a competitive geopolitical environment.

The Broader Geopolitical Context

The future of EU-NATO relations will also be shaped by the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly the complex relationships between major global powers. Although the EU and the US share a strategic consensus on addressing threats from Russia and China, there are notable differences in how they approach these challenges.

 For instance, the EU maintains a more tolerant and pragmatic relation ship with China, driven by economic interdependence and share dinterests in global governance. Similarly, despiteitsfirm stance on Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU acknowledges the need to maintain some level of constructive engagement withits neighboring power.

 These differences in approach, especially in comparison to the US’s more hard line policies, will continue to influence the trajectory of EU-NATO cooperation.

Conclusion

While the EU and NATO have made significant strides in strengthening their partnership, particularly in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, their relationship remains a delicate balancing act. Both organizations are working together on a broad range of security issues, from defense capacity-building to critical infrastructure protection and emerging technologies.

However, structural tensions, internal divisions, and the complexities of the international order pose ongoing challenges to the future development of EU-NATO relations.

As global power dynamics continue to evolve, the partnership between the EU and NATO willneed to navigate these challenges while striving to remain cohesive and effective in addressing the security needs of the transatlantic alliance.