Securitisation and Militarisation of European Politics

This paper analyses the securitisation and militarisation of European politics in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, highlighting a significant shift from post-Cold War complacency to proactive deterrence. Drawing on the Copenhagen School’s securitisation theory, it demonstrates how EU leaders have framed the conflict as an existential threat to European democracy and security, legitimising extraordinary measures such as increased defence spending and joint military aid.
The adoption of initiatives like the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) illustrates the militarisation process, emphasising strategic autonomy, defence integration, and a move toward federalisation through centralised defence competence and joint procurement.
The paper also explores how European societies are being prepared for prolonged conflict via public campaigns and institutional reforms. Overall, the analysis argues that securitisation and militarisation are mutually reinforcing dynamics that drive EU federalisation, as the bloc seeks to unify its political and military responses amid evolving geopolitical challenges and potential future conflicts beyond Ukraine.