ABSTRACT
The early 21st century saw Europe’s predicament worsen with escalating geopolitical tensions, including the US-China rivalry and Russia’s aggression, which destabilised EU security and its southern neighbourhood. Concurrently, the EU faced internal crises, such as the Eurozone and Schengen issues, as well as Brexit, which undermined internal solidarity. The EU demonstrated resilience through its relational power approach, balancing multilateralism with strategic partnerships, especially with the United States. While the EU’s foreign policy was often constrained, it adapted its strategies to manage conflicts and crises, emerging as a multilateralist and pragmatist actor. The future will hinge on the EU’s ability to maintain its relational power amid ongoing external and internal challenges.
