1、Key Issues Russias invasion of Ukraine presents a new political reality in which the European countries are ready to enhance their role in the defence of their own continent.However,they should focus on“strategic responsibility”rather than“strategic autonomy”,which remains militarily and politically
2、 unrealistic.The Europeans should conceive their efforts in three steps:(1)Military Mobility:the EU needs to finally allocate the budgets to improve the infrastructure for the swift reinforcement of troops,equipment,and supplies to NATOs eastern territory to deter Russian troop buildups;(2)Resilienc
3、e:containing Russias political warfare against the West requires a division of labour,with NATO remaining a fighting force and the EU focusing on the coordination of civilian assets;and(3)Enhanced European Deterrence:the Europeans will continue to rely on critical US military support functions but m
4、ust muster the bulk of the ground and tactical air forces in the future defence and deterrence of Russia.Introduction Russias invasion of Ukraine is jump-starting the debate about the extent to which European countries and the EU should play an independent role in the defence of their continent.The