The EU’s Preparedness Union: From Broad Ambition to Focused Action

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, mounting grey-zone threats, and recurrent systemic shocks have exposed Europe’s deep vulnerabilities. The EU’s 2025 Preparedness Union Strategy is the first comprehensive effort to translate the idea of resilience into concrete action. Yet, by adapting a national concept to the supranational level without defining where the EU adds value, it risks losing focus and political traction. This Policy Brief argues that the European Commission should give the Preparedness Union clearer substance and direction to make it effecive. It outlines how Brussels can strengthen its contribution to European preparedness by grounding its approach in national realities, aligning with NATO’s resilience agenda, and leveraging its unique strengths to bolster societal preparedness and resilience.