Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered what German leaders call a Zeitenwende, a historic turning point in European security and politics. Yet beyond rhetoric, what does this transformation mean for Europe’s long-term survival as a geopolitical actor? In this talk, Johannes Volkmann, a Member of the German Bundestag (CDU) and former chief of staff in the European Parliament, examines the implications of the Zeitenwende. Drawing on his work in constitutional and trade policy, as well as applied policy experience, Volkmann will explore how Europe can safeguard its survival amid growing external pressures, internal division, and the need for institutional renewal. The talk will also consider whether the current moment marks lasting transformation or risks becoming rhetoric without action.
