Europe needs a Freedom Doctrine

On the 18th of December, leaders will gather in Brussels to finalise the decision on the loan based on the frozen Russian assets that would allow the EU to finance Ukraine for several years. This will be the day Europe will either start paving a path forward for the continent, or accepting the humiliating role of observer. If the decision to use the assets is not taken – Europe might be forced to comply with whatever the US agrees with the Russians – not excluding the return of the assets back to the aggressor. The decision on the 18th therefore creates a path dependency. With the money – Europe could support Ukraine, retain subjectivity and win more time to prepare for the defence of the continent. 

In an op-ed for Chatham House magazine The World Today, I argue that since the age of the Truman Doctrine has ended – Europe needs a freedom doctrine of its own. And I know that it might be difficult to agree on one. First, Europe has to admit that it is in crisis. And, as in the times when the European Community came into being, leaders should lock themselves in a room and not come out until they have the Doctrine hashed out. If this is not done soon, Europe will be forced to live by the only doctrine around – Putin’s doctrine – and there will be no one else to blame but ourselves.

Read the article in the Winter edition of The World Today:

Europe needs a doctrine to halt Putin’s expansionist ambitions

The World Today, Winter 2025, Chatham House
https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-12/europe-needs-doctrine-halt-putins-expansionist-ambitions

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