On March 23, Tinatin Khidasheli delivered a lecture titled “The New Geopolitical Chessboard: Security and Alliances in Europe” at CEU Universitat Abat Oliba in Barcelona.
In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of alliances and international partnerships in today’s security environment and discussed the real impact of NATO and EU enlargement on Eastern Europe.
“You have probably heard the myths about a Russia irritated by NATO or EU enlargement, left with no choice but to defend its own security. Facts and reality, however, prove the opposite. Russia’s imperial ambitions stopped exactly where enlargement took place. We did not see Putin wage war against Poland or the Baltic states; nor did he attack Finland last year. But we did witness Russia’s aggressive actions in countries where NATO and EU policies were overly cautious and restrained.
No, friends — the expansion of alliances played a decisive role in the peaceful development of Eastern Europe, ensuring their security and, consequently, their prosperity. And only where delays occurred did we see Russian imperial aggression, war, destruction, and casualties… NATO and the European Union remain the clear and unconditional guarantors of peace in Europe, and our recent history confirms this,” – Khidasheli told the audience at the university.
The lecture was held in a roundtable format and addressed changes in Europe’s security architecture, strategic partnerships, and the importance of regional cooperation.
