The EU-VALUES Newsletter Issue 9

Preserving Peace, Freedom and Multilateralism

From the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine to the escalating climate crisis and beyond, recent years have exposed the fragility of the rules-based international order and underscored the urgent need for effective multilateral cooperation. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar and great power competition intensifies, the European Union must navigate a complex geopolitical landscape while remaining true to its founding principles. This requires not only reinforcing existing multilateral institutions and norms, but also building new coalitions and partnerships to address emerging threats and challenges.

The EU's efforts to promote multilateralism extend across a wide range of policy areas, from climate action and sustainable development to human rights and conflict prevention. However, it’s ability to project its values and interests on the world stage is not without its limitations and contradictions. Internal divisions, bureaucratic constraints, and sometimes ambivalent relationships with other major powers can hinder its effectiveness as a global actor.

In this edition of the EU-VALUES newsletter, we explore the EU's efforts to reinforce the multilateral system and its institutions amidst growing global challenges. We draw upon recent research to examine the EU's role in promoting the core values of multilateralism and the impact of geopolitical events on the resilience of international institutions. Furthermore, we collate expert assessments of the EU's effectiveness in pursuing its Treaty objectives related to multilateralism, its relationship to the liberal international order, and the prospects of a "geopolitical Europe" in an increasingly multipolar world. By bringing together these research-informed perspectives, we aim to shed light on the opportunities and obstacles facing the EU as it navigates the changing landscape of multilateralism in the 21st century. 

Prof. Ian Manners of Lund University revisits the concept he helped define - Normative Power Europe - to examine what it really means for the EU to shape global norms through its values and policies. He explores which values the EU genuinely embodies on the world stage, beyond its own rhetoric, and how far these values hold up under scrutiny. As debates over democratic backsliding, colonial legacies, and the return of coercive power politics reshape the global order, Professor Manners also addresses a pressing question for European policymakers: can a values-based power like the EU remain credible, and relevant, in a world where force increasingly speaks louder than norms?

Dive into more expert interviews with EU-VALUES Talks:

Multilateralism, the cooperation between three or more states through international institutions, is facing significant challenges in the current geopolitical landscape. Recent conflicts, contested institutions, and the resurgence of geopolitical tensions are transforming the way states collaborate on a global scale. D'Alessandra and Gildea (2025) argue that multilateralism is underpinned by core, non-instrumental values such as a spirit of collectivity, inclusivity over exclusivity, and negotiated governance. These values are essential for maintaining a stable and cooperative international order. However, the traditional model of multilateralism is being tested by the growing relevance of informality in multilateral practice, as highlighted by Lovato (2026).

The EU finds itself at the epicenter of this transformation. As a prominent proponent of 'effective multilateralism' for decades, the EU now faces the challenge of adapting to an age of uncertainty (Jørgensen et al., 2025). The Union's role in promoting multilateralism is complicated by the increasing importance of regional institutions in global peace operations (Fawcett, 2025) and its own evolution into a geopolitical actor. Since 2019, the EU has been operating with a 'Geopolitical Commission,' signaling a shift in its approach to international affairs (Kissack, 2026).

The strain on multilateralism is further exacerbated by recent events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has tested the resilience of international institutions like the G20 and challenged the existing world order (Makarychev & Wicaksana, 2025). As the global power dynamics continue to shift, the EU must navigate a complex web of relationships and adapt its foreign policy to ensure the survival of multilateralism. Lovato (2026) emphasises the significance of informality in EU foreign policy-making, arguing that it plays a crucial role in maintaining multilateralism in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, the current state of multilateralism is marked by uncertainty and the resurgence of geopolitical tensions. The EU, as a key player in the international arena, must recalibrate its approach to promoting multilateralism while navigating the challenges posed by regional conflicts, contested institutions, and the growing relevance of informality in multilateral practice. The future of multilateralism depends on the ability of international actors, including the EU, to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape and uphold the core values that underpin cooperative global governance.

For a curated selection of recommended publications, scroll down to the "Literature" section at the end of this email. And if you haven't explored it yet, be sure to visit the newly launched EU-VALUES Repository.
This comprehensive database features hundreds of publications from our Network partners, covering a wide range of topics related to the EU's external action, values, and multilateral engagement.

As debates around peace, security, democracy, and multilateral cooperation continue to evolve, our EU-VALUES Blog offers timely reflections on some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe and the international community: 

The internet doesn't belong to everyone equally, and the fight over who gets to set its rules is already well underway. Columbia Law School Prof. Anu Bradford breaks down the three competing visions reshaping the digital world: the US market-driven model, China's state-directed approach, and the EU's rights-based framework. Drawing on her acclaimed book Digital Empires, Bradford argues that regulation has become a form of geopolitical power, and that Europe's influence is far greater, and more contested, than most people realise. From AI governance to data privacy and platform accountability, the stakes couldn't be higher. Bradford is joined by two expert discussants from Lund University: Elsa Hedling, Associate Senior Lecturer in European Studies and Political Science and Peter Gottschalk, Associate Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Intellectual Property and Trade Law. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be the first to know when new videos go live! Some other recent fantastic sessions include:

• Saving the EU from Illiberal Member States | Rule of Law, Democracy & European Integration Prof. András Jakab and Prof. Lando Kirchmair examine the rise of illiberal trends in EU member states and institutions, showing how these dynamics threaten democracy and the rule of law. Prof. Jan Wouters provides expert commentary, exploring the implications for European integration and the future of the EU’s constitutional order.

• Echoes of the War in Ukraine: Political Ramifications in the Baltics and the Balkans featuring author Prof. Vassilis Petsinis (Corvinus University of Budapest) in conversation with discussant Dr. Katarina Damčević (Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies).

• Roundtable | Russia’s War in Ukraine – Global Perceptions This recorded roundtable explored global perceptions of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the EU’s role and values worldwide, and policy implications for the future. Featuring experts from Europe and Asia, the session was part of the EU-VALUES Network International Conference with BINUS University and was moderated by Adam Holesch (IBEI).

Other great episodes you may find interesting:

• Ian Manners: Does the EU Still Have Normative Power? Rethinking Europe: Listen Here

• Elaine Fahey: Who Leads in Cyberspace? Democratic Values and the EU–US Digital Future: Listen Here

We are excited to meet participants at our final EU-VALUES International Conference this coming September, which will be hosted by the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic in Rabat, Morocco.

If you are not able to attend in person, don’t worry - we will be live streaming select sessions on our YouTube and Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. Please follow us on these platforms to stay updated on the conference proceedings and to access the live streams.

The conference panels and agenda will be released shortly, so stay tuned for more information. 

Literature mentioned in this issue: