IKV organised a webinar titled “The Second Year of the Russia-Ukraine War and Its Effects on Europe” on 17 March 2023. In the webinar, where the opening speech and panel section were moderated by IKV Deputy Secretary General M. Gökhan Kilit, the multidimensional effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on Europe and global politics were discussed.

The opening speech of the webinar was made by IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu. Zeytinoğlu stated that Europe unexpectedly faced the facts of war after Russia’s attack to Ukraine in violation of international law and the terms of the UN Charter. Referring to the rising importance of NATO membership, the alternation of the Germany’s defense and security policy, efforts to reduce the dependence to Russian energy, the changing EU enlargement framework and the crimes against humanity committed in the Ukraine war, Zeytinoğlu concluded his speech by emphasising that this war changed and transformed European geopolitics.

After the opening speech, the first panelist, IPC Senior Fellow Prof. Atila Eralp stated that Europe has been going through a “multiple crisis process” since 2008. Eralp noted that the financial crisis brought a “concerned Europe” on its own future and this fact was followed by the migrant crisis, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Ukraine war. Atila Eralp underlined that although discussions regarding the future and uncertainty arise in every crisis, the “security” discussions became more visible in the last crisis. Pointing out that there is a process where “the old is dead and the new not yet born” in terms of security, Eralp emphasised that Türkiye’s geopolitical importance has increased after the Russia-Ukraine war. He also added that Türkiye cannot play its geopolitical cards without a progress achieved in its democracy.

Taking the floor after Eralp, Kadir Has University Faculty Member Prof. Sinem Akgül Açıkmeşe started her speech with the emphasis on “comprehensive security”. Stating that the Russia-Ukraine war changed the security paradigm of Europe in a hybrid way in areas such as such as defence, finance, energy and food, Açıkmeşe noted that the EU started to perceive Russia as a threat by evaluating it within the scope of securitisation. In addition, Prof. Açıkmeşe pointed out that the EU, which has placed food security into global context after the Russia-Ukraine war, is making efforts to provide more support to underdeveloped countries. Finally, Açıkmeşe emphasised that the acceptance of Ukraine and Moldova’s applications for EU membership is a unique development for the EU.

The third discussant of the panel, IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas addressed the Russia-Ukraine war from a different perspective and explained how the EU’s green transition process was affected by the war. Stressing the importance of the European Green Deal goals in terms of the use of fossil fuels and reducing Europe’s dependence on Russia, Nas stated that the war did not hinder the EU’s transformation into renewable energy, on the contrary, it accelerated it. Lastly, Nas noted that the EU acts to overcome bureaucratic obstacles in order to speed up the decision-making procedures for energy and investment projects.

Okan University Faculty Member Dr. Habibe Özdal was the next discussant after Nas. Evaluating what the war means for Russian foreign policy and emphasising that Russia’s goals on Ukraine is unclear, Özdal stated that the constant change circle in Russia’s strategies and rhetoric is an indicator of instability. Expressing that Russia seems to have closed itself out by turning into its domestic politics, she stressed that Russia also makes itself isolated from the West. However, she also noted that Russia is partially supported by its African and Asian partners, especially those who supports anti-US propaganda. Drawing attention to Türkiye’s mediation role during the war, Özdal underlined that Türkiye follows a balanced foreign policy in the international arena.

The last participant of the webinar, Marmara University Faculty Member Prof. Çağdaş Üngör discussed the war in detail through its effects on China. Üngör stated that China, which appears to be a secret and pro-Russian actor, has taken pro-peace moves against the war. In addition, she stressed that China represents an axis as the world’s second largest economy and is perceived as a “threat” especially by the USA in this period, which is called new Cold War era. Üngör noted that the Russia-Ukraine war did not strengthen China’s hand and did not serve its interests. The webinar, which had a very high level of participation, ended with Q/A session.