Viktor Jakupec’s The EU’s Strategic Dilemma in the Ukraine War provides a sober analysis of the European Union (EU)’s response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The book, a timely addition to the SpringerBriefs series, situates the EU’s actions within a classical realist framework, highlighting its struggle for strategic coherence in foreign policy and security. It directly builds on the foundations established by Jakupec in Dynamics of the Russo-Ukraine War (Springer) and The West’s Response to the Russo-Ukraine War (Springer). Jakupec’s main argument is that, despite a unified rhetorical front, the EU’s response has been marked by significant internal disagreement, mainly because of the ongoing dominance of national interests over a shared strategic vision. Consequently, he argues, this results in a form of ‘strategic dissonance’ that leaves the EU on the sidelines of major geopolitical decisions, especially when compared with the more assertive, though complex, role played by the USA.

The book guides the reader through a well-structured, evidence-based argument. It begins by examining the ‘EU’s dilemma’ as a structural tension between its economic strength and its limited ability to act as a unified geopolitical actor. The EU’s hybrid design, which balances supranational authority with national sovereignty, means that reaching a consensus is often challenging, as differing national interests and dependencies weaken collective decisions. This theme is then explored through detailed analyses of two key policy areas: sanctions and military aid. Jakupec’s discussion of sanctions reveals a complex web of competing economic interests and energy dependencies, demonstrating how the need for unanimity hampers effectiveness. The chapter on military aid emphasises the structural fragmentation of the European defence landscape, characterised by reliance on national procurement and a lack of interoperability, which limits prospects for coordinated, large-scale joint action. The book’s epilogue weaves these threads together, offering a stark conclusion that, despite its economic strength, Europe remains diplomatically and politically marginal in a crisis unfolding on its doorstep.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its commitment to the realist paradigm. By intentionally emphasising the practical, often self-interested actions of individual member states, Jakupec provides a persuasive counternarrative to more idealistic interpretations of EU solidarity. His analysis of the EU’s foreign and security policy as a battleground for national agendas is compelling. The book’s conciseness is also an advantage; it is a focused, information-rich text that avoids unnecessary words, making it a valuable resource for students and analysts.

Nevertheless, the book’s strict focus on a realist perspective also constitutes its main limitation. Its analysis is strongly centred on identifying Europe’s immediate weaknesses and structural constraints, and in doing so, it overlooks possible longer-term developments. While Jakupec persuasively shows how the War in Ukraine has revealed the EU’s vulnerabilities, he allocates less importance to the possibility that this crisis could act as a catalyst for deeper integration or political renewal. It is worth considering whether the very vulnerabilities he highlights might inspire an unprecedented political will to break Europe’s inertia, especially if Russian ambitions reach further west. Nonetheless, Jakupec’s scepticism about the EU’s ability to adapt, given its past record, is likely justified.

Jakupec highlights that, since 2022, there has been a noticeable, though uneven, increase in defence expenditure among European nations, with several reaching Nato’s target of 2% of GDP, signalling a shift in security priorities. While the book correctly recognises the continued central role of the USA within Nato, the rising European contributions, driven by higher military budgets and increased supply of advanced weaponry to Ukraine, could be seen as the initial, albeit gradual, steps towards a more resilient and autonomous European defence capability. The renewed sense of urgency among political leaders and the public’s desire for a more unified response may be the key factor needed to implement the reforms that Jakupec argues are politically challenging. Although still in the early stages and lacking strategic autonomy, these represent a departure from decades of underinvestment and suggest a path to greater coherence.

In conclusion, The EU’s Strategic Dilemma in the Ukraine War is a thought-provoking addition to the literature on European security. It offers a valuable counterbalance to more optimistic assessments, providing a solid understanding of the current geopolitical realities. The author’s work is thorough, and his arguments about the EU’s fractured nature are hard to contest. The book effectively highlights the genuine dilemma of the gap between rhetoric and reality, which will continue to shape Europe’s role in the world for the foreseeable future. While readers may debate how much the EU might evolve, this study provides a rigorous and realistic assessment.