This event is part of PRIO's European Security Week and is organized by the CENTREPEACE project and NORCIE The Norwegian Centre for International Economics.
A light breakfast will be served.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered the most significant rise in defence spending in Europe since the end of the Cold War. European governments are spending billions on military aid for Ukraine, building up national stocks and investing in defence industries. During spring 2025 the EU launched a European rearmament program, and the European military buildup has been given an additional impetus by the Trump administration's withdrawal from financing aid for Ukraine and its antagonistic relationship with several European states. European rearmament is a profoundly political process which raises deep questions about the nature and future of European security.
This discussion brings together some of Europe's leading scholars on defence policies to discuss questions such as:
- Are we witnessing a deep and long lasting transformation of European defence policies?
- Will the EU fulfill its ambition to lead European rearmament?
- Are Central and Eastern European states willing to follow policies advocated by Berlin, Brussels and Paris?
- Will European governments reduce their dependence upon imports from the United States?
Speakers will be:
Martin Chovančík, Assistant Professor at Masaryk University, who specializes in European security and defence policy, with a focus on Central and Eastern European perspectives on security cooperation and defence production.
Nicholas Marsh, Senior Researcher at PRIO who works on arms control, arms procurement, and the political dynamics shaping European rearmament.
Bruno Oliveira Martins, Senior Researcher at PRIO who studies European security governance, the security implications of cutting-edge technologies, and the EU's evolving role as a security actor.
Jocelyn Mawdsley, Professor of European Politics at Newcastle University who is an expert on defence policy, military procurement, and the development of Europe’s defence industrial base.
The event will be moderated Robin Allers, Associate professor at the Norwegian Defence University College specializing in transatlantic relations, NATO, and European security and defence cooperation.
