CAN EUROPE MEET THE GEOPOLITICAL MOMENT? - Join the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center for a conversation on assessing Europe’s geopolitical ambitions in 2025 and opportunities for 2026.

On December 18, leaders of the European Union’s (EU) twenty-seven member states convene in Brussels for the final European Council meeting of the year. They meet to discuss and take action on issues critical to the future of the bloc and Europe, including support for Ukraine, European defense and security, EU competitiveness, enlargement, relations with the Middle East, and more. Their meeting coincides with questions about the future of transatlantic relations and Washington’s relationship with the EU in particular.

This expert discussion will look at how the EU and Europe have met—or not—their geopolitical ambitions and evolving transatlantic relations in 2025 and take a look at what lies ahead for Europe and the transatlantic relationship in 2026.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 12/19/2025