Part 7/10:
In addition to these challenges, the ongoing war in Ukraine serves as a critical case study illuminating a fourth pressing issue: the lack of the EU's effective power and influence in foreign affairs.
The Paradox of EU Power
Despite the substantial economic clout that the EU holds, its diplomatic responses have fallen short in several instances, notably in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2022. Although the EU quickly unified in its condemnation of the invasion, the overall efficacy of its support for Ukraine has been criticized as lacking. Without the decisive military aid from the United States, the EU's efforts might not have prevented a more significant defeat for Ukraine.