Speaking on the anniversary of the end of World War II, European Council President António Costa addressed a packed audience of EUI academics, researchers, and students, as well as local leaders and diplomats.
“The war in Ukraine is not only a geopolitical crisis. It is a test of Europe’s identity. And so we must ask ourselves: What kind of Europe do we want to be?”, shared Costa in his keynote speech. “Peace is not a passive condition. It is an active project. The European Union was built on the ruins of war not merely to prevent another one, but to build something better. This is Europe’s moment to remember why it was created—and to rise to the occasion once more,” he added.
Costa warned that defending peace also means preparing for it: "Peace without defence is an illusion. In today’s world, we must be capable of defending ourselves and properly deterring future aggressions in Europe. Strategic autonomy is not a rejection of alliances—it is the reinforcement of responsibility." His message was resolute: Europe must reconcile its peace project with strategic preparedness—and do so without losing its soul: “Helping Ukraine is a reaffirmation of the European peace project. A recognition that peace is the presence of justice, sovereignty, and mutual security.”
Hosted at the EUI’s historic Badia Fiesolana, the event framed security not only in terms of military capacity but as an ecosystem of societal resilience, democratic legitimacy, and intellectual integrity. EUI President Professor Patrizia Nanz opened the event with a call to safeguard Europe’s values while scrutinising the policy trade-offs at hand.
“If the aim is to protect European values,” said Nanz, “we must be sure that in defending them, we do not jeopardise them.” Citing Costa, she added: “In this new world, peace without defence may be an illusion. But so too is security without democracy.”
President Nanz also underscored the university’s responsibility to foster critical reflection: “Every drone procured and every artillery shell stockpiled represents euros that cannot be spent on hospitals, classrooms, climate innovation, or affordable housing. Our responsibility as academics is to ensure these choices are transparent, accountable, and reflect Europe’s commitment to human dignity and social progress.”
In her intervention, Florence Mayor Sara Funaro linked the debate to the city’s historical role in peacebuilding. Quoting Giorgio La Pira and Pope Francis, she reminded the audience that “cities must be protagonists” in building a future where “bridges are preferred over walls.”
In a Q&A session, EUI Professor Trine Flockhart, Chair in Security Studies, reflected on the broader implications for European strategy: “The war in Ukraine is indeed Europe’s war, but as President Costa alluded to, it is also a war about which global order will replace the one established after WWII. Whichever new order emerges will be decisive for how Europe’s project of peace unfolds.”
Following the address by European Council President António Costa, a focus session featuring Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, explored the role of regions and cities in fostering peace and safeguarding security: “We need all levels of leadership in this moment—local, regional, national, and European. Cities and regions are not only implementers; they are innovators and protectors of Europe’s resilience. The freedom and future of our communities depend on it,” stated Tüttő in her keynote speech.
Reflecting on the long-term vision for Europe, Anton Hemerijck, Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the EUI, challenged what he described as the overly cautious narrative in many EU policy debates: “What really struck me—and it was refreshing to hear President Costa push back on this—is how defensively we speak about Europe’s future. Policy reports talk about preserving the European social model, but we should start from strength. Europe already has high-quality democracies, stable institutions, social cohesion, and prosperity. That’s our foundation—not something to defend, but to build from.”
Participants also debated the risks of over-militarisation and the tension between public trust and strategic preparedness—issues that are increasingly under scrutiny across both national capitals and university campuses.
Outside the venue, a peaceful demonstration held in the Badia's cloister by EUI researchers voiced concern over the EU’s shifting defence priorities—an act welcomed by organisers as an expression of democratic engagement. A research representative shared: “We say: Europe does not need more weapons. We need a radically different vision of security—one grounded in democracy, justice, and solidarity.”
This special event, held just ahead of Europe Day, marked a pivotal moment in the academic and political conversation on Europe’s security posture and democratic values.
“This is not a ceremony,” concluded EUI President Patrizia Nanz. “It’s a commitment—to keep questioning, to keep learning, and to keep building the institutions and trust that uphold Europe’s pluralist peace.”
Recordings of the two sessions can be found here: