In the introduction of his presentation prof. Schlie talked about the acceleration of economic, political and social processes during crisis situations as the current one in Europe. He pointed out the necessity of fast decisions under such circumstances. Next he discussed three issues:
- the main features of the new world order in the aftermath of the Russian agression against Ukraine,
- the tasks, limits, possibilities of Europe in a world less and less dominated by the US,
- the possibility of the revitalization of the relationships between Europe and the US.
He defined the 2008 April Bucharest NATO Summit as a major step towards the formation of the present world political situation. The summit and the ensuing NATO policies missed the possibility of making a clear decision concerning the NATO membership of Geeorgia and Ukraine. NATO’s miscalculations contributed to Russia’s increasing worries about a threat to Russia’s security. The speaker pointed out that currently the EU should, while fully respecting national sovereignties, show unity and strength, increasing its military capabilities in cooperation with the US.
In the course of the discussion the miscalculation of West European and US leaders concerning the situation in Eastern and Central Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, the present internal political situation in Russia and Ukraine, China’s place in the new world order, Turkish and Brazilian attempts at mediating between Russia and Ukraine were addressed.
At a meeting after the lecture the ways and means of a cooperation in teaching and research between the Center for Advanced Security Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at Bonn University headed by Prof. Schlie and our institute were outlined.