Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has turned out to be a defining moment for European security, exposing both the strengths and limitations of existing security arrangements. Beyond its immediate military and geopolitical consequences, the war has reignited debates over the credibility of security guarantees and has accelerated the search for alternative forms of security cooperation. This article examines how the “Ukraine effect” is reshaping Europe’s emerging security architecture through the growing prominence of minilateral alliances and flexible coalition-building. The author argues that the failure of previous security assurances to deter aggression against Ukraine has generated renewed interest in security mechanisms that extend beyond traditional multilateral frameworks.
The “Ukraine effect” extends well beyond the battlefield. It has reshaped national security strategies, accelerated defence modernisation, revived military planning across Europe, and prompted governments to reconsider how security commitments are organised and implemented.
