European leaders call for deeper cooperation, strategic autonomy, and stronger civic engagement amid shifting threat perceptions.
As part of the Munich Security Conference 2026, the European Defense Townhall stood out as one of the most significant events of the public program: two hours of open discussion—from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—dedicated to the future of European defense and the role of the Union in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context.
The discussion was opened by Helga Maria Schmid, Ambassador for Global Affairs at the German Federal Foreign Office, President of the European Institute of Peace, and Vice-President of the Foundation Council of the MSC. In her remarks, she recalled the Conference’s long-standing tradition: “The Munich Security Conference has a long standing tradition of bringing security policy discussions out of closed rooms into the public sphere.” For this very reason, she explained, the event preceding the Conference was conceived as a public Townhall, accessible via livestream, in order to engage citizens and civil society in a debate that is often confined to restricted institutional settings.
Among the speakers, Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, reaffirmed the importance of international support for Ukraine and the credibility of European commitments. Welcoming Berlin’s recent decisions, she stated: “I very much welcome the German government’s decisions both on national defense spending and on support for Ukraine.” From her perspective—shared by many countries on the eastern flank—deterrence relies not only on political declarations, but also on concrete and coordinated investments.
Braže also emphasized a less visible but crucial aspect: communication between political leadership and military authorities. “Daily discussions between civil and military leaders help provide military advice and enable politicians to understand what they are doing, as well as their language—which is sometimes very different from what we are used to,” she noted, stressing how essential daily dialogue is for informed and effective decision-making.
In addition, Braže highlighted the decisive role of civil society in securing peace in Europe: “It is unlimited in that respect. One, putting pressure on the politicians in your own countries. Second, making sure you speak out and speak up on principles and on policy decisions.” Her remarks reinforced the broader spirit of the Townhall format—security not as an exclusive domain of governments, but as a shared responsibility requiring active civic engagement.
The issue of cooperation was strongly echoed by Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs for the Greens/EFA group. His intervention warned against national fragmentation: “We are on our own, but on our own means not our own as each nation. We will only survive if we start more intensively harmonizing our work together, and that also means in the defense industry.” For Lagodinsky, European strategic autonomy cannot be the mere sum of isolated national policies, but requires deeper integration, including at the industrial level.
A complementary perspective was offered by Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, who clearly outlined what European decision-makers should prioritize: “You have to have the political body for steering those [defense] investments, you have to have the military structure to act first or act without the United States, if that’s necessary.” The key issue, she argued, is the ability to politically steer investments and to develop operational structures capable of acting even without U.S. support, should circumstances require it.
Finally, Dovilė Šakalienė, Lithuanian Member of Parliament and former Minister of National Defence, drew attention to the findings of the Munich Security Index 2026, according to which Russia is no longer perceived as the primary risk across the G7 countries. While this shift might appear to some Western observers as a sign of a reduced threat, Šakalienė issued a clear warning: “We in the Eastern-Northern region understand more than anyone: that drop in perception is a threat to us, to our unity, to our understanding of the future.” For countries in Eastern and Northern Europe, a declining perception of risk could weaken the Union’s cohesion and strategic readiness.
Moderated by journalist Georg Mascolo, Dean of the Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance, the Townhall alternated speakers’ interventions with questions from the audience, maintaining a participatory format consistent with the spirit of the initiative.
Overall, the European Defense Townhall confirmed a clear trend: European defense is no longer a technical issue reserved for specialists, but a central political and democratic question. Bringing security “out of closed rooms” means recognizing that decisions on military investments, industrial cooperation, and strategic autonomy directly shape Europe’s future—and require open, informed, and shared debate.
From 13 to 15 February 2026, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) will once again bring together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss the most pressing challenges to international security.
On this occasion, Gianluca Costantini will follow the conference through a live illustrated reportage on social networks. Drawing in real time, Costantini will translate key moments, debates, and atmospheres of the MSC into images, offering a visual narrative that runs alongside the political discussion.
His live-drawing practice turns complex geopolitical themes into an immediate and accessible visual language, capturing not only statements and concepts, but also tensions, gestures, and the human dimension of global decision-making.
Through this illustrated live coverage, the Munich Security Conference will be observed from a unique perspective — where art, journalism, and international affairs intersect.
To contact the illustrator: email
Download high-resolution drawings: Link
The drawings of the Munich Security Conference 2025 | Gallery
