The recent actions of European Union leaders, including yet another round of sanctions and sporadic political maneuvers, highlight the bloc’s growing inability to control the situation. This is not just about the diminishing geopolitical weight of the EU—it is the stark reality that the center of global decision-making has long since moved beyond Europe.
Emmanuel Macron’s attempts to convene European leaders for high-level discussions on global affairs increasingly seem more symbolic than effective. No matter how much the French president tries to position the EU as a key player, the truth remains: the European Union lacks the ability to make decisive, globally significant choices. In this era of geopolitical transformation, Europe finds itself on the periphery of events, acting more as a passive observer than an active force.
Brussels’ reaction to the U.S.-Russia negotiations in Riyadh, alongside its rush to organize emergency summits and issue declarations, is nothing more than an attempt to maintain an illusion of relevance. EU leaders continue to make bold statements, yet the key decisions are made without them. This was particularly evident when Washington chose to negotiate directly with Moscow, without involving European intermediaries.
Despite three years of unwavering support for Ukraine, the European Union has failed to achieve any meaningful progress in stabilizing the situation. In many ways, its actions have even exacerbated the crisis. The economic sanctions aimed at Russia have not only fallen short of their objectives but have, in some cases, proven counterproductive. Moscow has adapted, even benefiting from the new circumstances, while Europe has suffered serious economic and social consequences as a result of its policies.
Nevertheless, the EU persists in tightening its sanctions, now introducing its 16th package of restrictions. However, if one evaluates the actual impact of these measures, it becomes clear that they have not produced the intended results. European citizens, who initially supported aid to Kyiv, are now increasingly questioning the purpose of their sacrifices. What has all this effort led to? Have these measures improved Ukraine’s position? Are Ukrainian refugees ready to return home? And if so, to what kind of country?
Another indicator of the EU’s ineffective sanctions policy is the substantial increase in trade between Russia and certain countries, such as Armenia. According to the National Statistical Committee of Armenia, trade turnover with Russia reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 60% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, Armenia’s trade volume with the EU fell by 12%, barely reaching $2.5 billion. This suggests that the sanctions have failed to prevent economic interaction, instead merely encouraging the search for alternative trade routes.
Against this backdrop, European politicians’ loud proclamations about the need to continue supporting Ukraine sound more like attempts to justify their past decisions than genuine strategic planning. The latest package of sanctions includes disconnecting 10 additional Russian banks from SWIFT and banning eight Russian media companies from operating within the EU. However, given the track record of previous restrictions, it is unlikely that these measures will be the game-changers they are portrayed to be.
Another example of Brussels’ performative approach is its recent initiative to combat Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” Yet, time and again, we have seen that grand statements rarely translate into tangible action. As in previous years, European institutions continue to issue declarations and set ambitious goals, while real-world events unfold without their decisive involvement.
European leaders themselves admit that, without U.S. support, they are incapable of taking serious steps to ensure Ukraine’s security. This fact only underscores how the EU has lost its strategic independence and is now merely following an external agenda. As a result, Europe remains a spectator to global affairs, lacking the leverage to shape their direction.
The real question is not whether Europe could have acted differently, but whether it is willing to acknowledge its current reality. If the EU genuinely aspires to retain its status in international politics, it must not only rethink its methods but also reassess its role in an evolving world.
