SCEEUS at Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025 was dominated by discussions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and recent US statements and actions, which continue to fundamentally reshape European security. A key theme that emerged was the urgent need to increase European defense spending to ensure the continent's security and self-sufficiency.

Photo: SCEEUS

Looking ahead, MSC 2025 generated several key recommendations for Europe. First, there must be a strategic effort to bolster Ukraine's leverage in its negotiations with Russia and the US, ensuring that Europe’s security interests are central. Second, European nations must prioritize investment in national defense, moving beyond the current 2% GDP spending target closer to 4-5% in order to create a self-reliant European defense. Third, Europe must be prepared to act independently, particularly when it comes to peace negotiations and shaping its long-term security strategy. Finally, Europe must communicate transparently with its citizens, acknowledging that unity in security and defense is critical to avoid becoming a passive player in global power competition.

At the MSC, SCEEUS both organized and participated in two side events. One of these, titled Belarus Beyond 2025 Elections: Catalyst for Change or Pawn in Russia's War?, was implemented in collaboration with the Danish Foreign Policy Society and the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. SCEEUS researcher Victoria Leukavets helped to organize and also participated as a speaker in this event.

This discussion explored the critical question of Belarus’s future following the 2025 presidential elections. Would Belarus remain a mere pawn in Russia’s war against Ukraine, or could the elections serve as a turning point for democratic change? The conversation centered on the developments in Belarus's domestic politics and its relations with both Russia and the West. Key topics included the possibility of empowering civil society and fostering political reform versus the risk of further entrenching authoritarianism. The event provided a valuable platform for discussing how the West could best support the Belarusian democratic movement.

SCEEUS Director Fredrik Löjdquist also participated in another event at MSC organized by the Swedish Institute for International Affairs (UI), on “Exposing false flags, Deterring Foes: Drawing the Line in NATO’s New North” moderated by UI Director Jakob Hallgren. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and others discussed how Russian hybrid warfare in Northern Europe can be deterred. The Director of Swedish National China Centre at UI, Björn Jerdén, also took part in this event.