Estimated time of reading: ~ 6 minutes

From February 10 to 18, 2025, as part of the Europe-Ukraine Desk project funded by the European Commission, 22 leading journalists from across the EU met in Kyiv for the third study visit hosted by n-ost, an organization dedicated to fostering international collaboration among journalists. This initiative brought together editors and senior journalists from renowned outlets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain—including 444.hu, Magyar Narancs, Bulgarian National TV, Dnevnik (BG), Le Nouvel Obs, Courrier International, El Español, Voxeurop, and others—to deepen their understanding of Ukraine’s wartime realities.

The program featured expert discussions, workshops, and networking sessions with Ukrainian media professionals, addressing critical topics such as media safety in conflict zones, economic and demographic trends, cultural resilience, and the challenges of reporting on Russian-occupied territories and human rights violations. Participants experienced the impact of the conflict firsthand by visiting Kyiv locations scarred by Russian missile attacks, including a tour of the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital—hit by a missile on July 8, 2024—and witnessing local efforts to document the destruction. A screening of Editorial Office, a Berlinale 2024-selected film, further illuminated the struggles faced by media professionals in Ukraine’s southern regions. Journalists such as Jorge Raya Pons (World Editor, El Español) and Francesca Barca (Editor, Voxeurop) expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the visit provided essential insights at a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s history.

During these immersive discussions, significant diplomatic turning points unfolded beginning on 12 February 2025. On that day, an hour-long call took place between President Putin and President Trump, after which the U.S. President reached out to President Zelensky. The timing and nature of these communications have ignited debate about the future direction of the negotiations, with observers suggesting a potential shift in the U.S. approach—one that appears increasingly accommodating to Russian demands.

On occasion of the 2025 Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. is no longer primarily focused on Europe’s security. He further warned that expecting Ukraine to revert to its pre-conflict borders is unrealistic, and the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO now seems more remote than ever. Shortly afterward, U.S. Vice President Vance delivered a series of stark statements. In his speech, Vance criticized European leaders for what he described as a backsliding on freedom of speech and democracy, asserting that internal threats pose a greater danger to European democracy than external challenges from Russia or China. He reiterated Trump’s demand for Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities, enabling Washington to shift its focus to regions such as the Indo-Pacific. “In the future, we think Europe is going to have to take a bigger role in its own security,” Vance said during a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concurred, stating that Europe must “step up” and invest more in its own defense. “We have to grow up in that sense and spend much more,” Rutte commented.

These developments place the EU in a very challenging position. Long a staunch political and economic supporter of Ukraine, Europe now faces the task of reasserting its role in forging a fair and secure peace. This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the EU. It is a challenge because several Member States are currently leaning toward nationalist, right-wing positions, making it more difficult to act with a strong, unified European stance. As a result, Europe risks facing the reality that it is not strong enough to defend Ukraine’s position while the US begins backing Russia.

Yet, it may also be an opportunity for Europe to finally speak with one unified voice on the global stage and determine its future role in the international arena. Undoubtedly, critical times lie ahead, with EU Representatives expected to take decisive decisions that may impact the future political influence of the European Union.

Written by: Cristina Ceccarelli