The urgent necessity of supplying Ukraine with the military materiel to sustain its fight for survival has revealed the absolute lack of depth of Europe’s armed forces. Low stocks and limited defence industrial capacity have severely constrained European support to Ukraine. In several areas, even the US capacity is not as limitless as many imagined. Nevertheless, thanks to its willpower and courage, and with Western support, Ukraine is holding – but Russia too is mobilising ever more military potential. Moreover, for the US, China, not Russia, remains the priority threat. What does this say about the military balance of power in Europe, both today and over the coming years?

Welcome:      Admiral Yves Dupont, Commandant, Royal Military Academy

Ir. Yvan De Mesmaeker, Secretary-General, Athena

Chair:             Prof. Dr Sven Biscop, Egmont & Ghent University

• Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director of Defence and Military Analysis, IISS
• James Hackett, Editor of The Military Balance, IISS
• Fenella McGerty, Senior Fellow for Defence Economics, IISS
• Dr Daniel Fiott, Head of the Defence and Statecraft Programme, CSDS

Participation by invitation only – The Chatham House Rule will apply