Andrii Hrubinko
Doctor of History, Full Professor, Department of Legal Theory and Constitutionalism of the West Ukrainian National University
DOI:
Abstract: The article presents the results of comprehensive research into the history and current state of cooperation between the two leading international organisations in Europe in modern times: NATO and the EU. The author analyses the genesis of NATO-EU relations from the post-war world order of the mid-twentieth century to the present in three periods: preliminary (unofficial) — from the 1950s to 2000, the establishment of cooperation (2001–14) and dynamic cooperation (from 2014 to the present). The article provides an explanation of the reasons for the absence of official relations between the organisations until the end of the twentieth century, the role of the Western European Union (WEU), the change in US strategic priorities after the end of the Cold War, and the impact of russian aggression on the intensification of the EU-NATO cooperation. The author emphasises the importance of joint work in countering hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and military mobility, among other things, which are crucial in the current geostrategic confrontation. The author reviews the regulatory, legal, institutional and functional support for the emergence and development of transatlantic cooperation in the context of historical changes in the global security system. The article outlines the achievements, problems and prospects of cooperation between the organisations and their role in the international arena in the context of current security system challenges.
It is noted that the EU needs to strengthen cooperation with the Alliance as a key to increasing its global influence. The events surrounding the russian-Ukrainian war have demonstrated the difficulty of combining the interests of the EU and NATO without the patronage of the United States, which is no longer prepared to guarantee European security monopolistically. Europe’s main problem is the lack of a leading state capable of backing up its international influence with economic and military resources. The EU cannot overcome its supporting role in relations with NATO in the average term. Progressing in ‘small steps’ is the only correct strategy for the EU in the security sphere. The first step has already been decided: activation of reserves and development of new capabilities of the military-industrial complex (MIC), which will be the best contribution of the union to deter russian aggression.
Keywords: NATO, EU, WEU, security system, USA, Alliance, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
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