Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has posed security and unity threats to Europe and encouraged new diplomatic connections

Europe has already been inundated with a refugee crisis with over 800,000 individuals who have fled Ukraine.  

Along with the influx of refugees, Russia’s invasion has seen profound consequences for Europe’s security and society. 

Expert on European-Asia affairs, Dr. Jagannath Panda spoke about the war’s security threats to Europe. 

“The Ukraine crisis is testing Europe’s security outlook,” Dr. Panda said. 

European diplomacy and unity have also been tested, along with how they approach threats from neighbouring regions.

“The Ukraine crisis exposed that E.U. is not that united when it comes to practical underpinnings and addressing security threats,” he said.  

Dr Panda said the current crisis has seen Europe extend global outreach to other countries to support their “security, unity and stature.” 

He outlined that Europe is turning to support from global superpowers like Japan and India.  

“Japan for its track record as a humanitarian aid facilitator and as it is a key economical global actor in economical formulations.”    

Dr Panda suggests that there would be a lot of dialogue and diplomacy between Japan and Europe, something that has ignited in recent times due to the war in Ukraine. 

Multiple world leaders including Borris Johnson and Joe Biden have labelled the war as genocide, so Dr Panda said the E.U. may turn to India for a more humanitarian approach. 

“India is looking at the crisis more from a humanitarian and resources point of view,” he said.

“Both Japan and India will emerge as critical partners for the E.U,” he said. 

Russia’s war with Ukraine has forced the E.U. to review its security sanctions, including their relationship with China. 

China is yet to take a position on Ukraine that could undermine Russia. but is yet to provide any material assistance to Ukraine. 

“Europe has learnt that it needs to talk about its own security. It has been made clear that Russia is a threat, but also that China is a future threat,” Dr Panda said. 

Read more about China’s involvement in the Ukraine war here. 

Amanda Gunn contributed to this report