Written by: Rodrigo Andrade Santos Supervised by: Elise Alsteens Edited by: Theodora Posta Abstract: The Russo-Ukrainian war has transformed Russia’s isolation into a network of pragmatic defence partnerships with China,…
Since the end of European missions in the Western Sahel and the military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the security situation in the region has deteriorated significantly. Jihadists and other insurgents have gained ground, while the regimes are being kept from total collapse by the newfound influence and military presence of Russia and its new strategic ambitions through the Russian Africa Corps. The disastrous security situation in the Western Sahel and instability in West Africa threatens European Security. This threat is worsened by the presence of Russia and other hostile powers. European countries must find new, improved, and pragmatic ways to engage with the region again.
Climate change has evolved into a standalone threat. This is changing the role and mission of European land forces, as they are increasingly required to perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as partake in conflicts that are exacerbated through climate change. This climate phenomenon is straining the personnel of European land forces, as they are forced to train and operate under more extreme weather conditions, such as above-average heat. Their equipment is also proving inadequate to respond to these new requirements. European land forces, and Europe’s militaries in general, must cooperate and communicate in order to find common solutions to the challenge of climate change.
On 16 July 2025, the European Commission presented its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which establishes the rules and expenditure ceilings for broad categories of spending—referred to as "headings"—over a six year period from 2028 to 2034.
This paper aims to examine the critical role of logistics in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, focusing on the evolving challenges and innovations in Ukraine's military logistics infrastructure. Logistical disruptions, especially from Russian missile strikes and precision bombing, threaten Ukraine's operational momentum and the sustainability of its military operations. This piece explores Ukraine's efforts to modernise its logistics systems, drawing from both doctrinal shifts and technological advancements, such as the integration of drones for last-mile delivery and the launch of the DOT Chain digital logistics platform. Despite these innovations, systemic challenges such as bureaucratic delays and limited air defence coverage persist, undermining the effectiveness of Ukraine's logistics network. The paper offers recommendations for enhancing resilience at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.
