On 21/22 May, WG5 organised an in-person workshop at Kaunas University of Technology on Revisiting the European Security Architecture. Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, mounting pressures on key European security institutions such as NATO and the OSCE, and an increasingly volatile transatlantic relationship, WG5 discussed the implications of the current repercussions for European security. The workshop was organised by the local host, Prof. Dr. Ainius Lašas, and the working group co-chair, Dr. Holger Niemann, and brought together WG5 members and practitioners working in the field of European security for an informal and interactive dialogue.
Speakers included the former Lithuanian Defence Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė and representatives from the European Commission, from NGOs supporting Ukraine and from Lithuanian volunteer organisations. The workshop provided participants with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the everyday workings of the European security architecture. Discussions emphasised the importance of evidence-based decision-making in European security, the role of hybrid threats and increasingly entangled insecurities, as well as the far-reaching implications of Russia’s aggression. They also highlighted the need for forward-thinking and bold ideas on how to maintain peace and security in Europe.