Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant breach of international law and a defining test for European democracy, Francesco Gaudiosi said, arguing that the European Union’s unprecedented unity in sanctions, security, and defense reflects the high stakes of a conflict that will shape the future of the rules-based international order.
Speaking at the international conference “Defending Democracy: Horizons of Freedom”, Gaudiosi, Vice President and Executive Director, Centro Studi Internazionali, examined the EU’s dual response — both external and internal — highlighting sanctions against Russia, security and defense initiatives, and measures to counter hybrid warfare. He framed the war in Ukraine as a decisive front in the global struggle between democracy and authoritarianism, with far-reaching implications for European security and the future of the international rules-based order:
The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been widely condemned under international law as a flagrant breach of fundamental principles. It constitutes a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Against this background, I would like to briefly analyze the response of the European Union, considering both its external and internal dimensions. The EU has demonstrated an unprecedented level of unity in responding to Russia’s war against Ukraine, effectively mobilizing both legal and policy instruments in support of Ukraine and European security.
At the external level, one of the most visible and significant responses has been the extensive sanctions regime imposed on Russia. These measures have targeted hundreds of individuals and key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finance, and defense, across multiple rounds. In parallel, the United States and its allies have frozen Russian state assets, including central bank reserves, and are actively exploring legal avenues to use these immobilized funds—amounting to approximately €140 billion—to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. This remains a particularly delicate and highly debated issue at the European level.
Moreover, the EU has launched several important initiatives in the field of security and defense. Since late 2022, the EU military assistance mission has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers on EU territory. Alongside this effort, the Union has strengthened its response to hybrid warfare, an increasingly central aspect of the conflict.
In this context, reducing dependence on Russian gas has been a crucial priority. The EU has taken decisive steps to diversify energy suppliers and limit Russia’s ability to use energy as a tool of political and economic pressure.
The fight against hybrid threats has also been reinforced through specific legal and strategic instruments. These include the Strategic Compass, adopted in 2023, and the establishment of rapid cyber response teams capable of assisting Member States under cyberattack.
A very recent development deserves particular attention. At the October 2025 summit in Copenhagen, EU leaders explicitly warned that Russia is already engaged in hybrid warfare within Europe, as stated by the Danish Prime Minister. On that occasion, leaders agreed to strengthen border and aerial surveillance, including plans for a so-called “drone wall” composed of sensors and air-defense systems along the EU’s eastern borders to prevent intrusions. NATO has welcomed these measures, and several allies have already initiated joint air-policing operations, particularly focused on countering drone threats.
In conclusion, the war in Ukraine has increasingly been framed as a critical front in the global struggle between democracy and autocracy. Ukraine is a sovereign democratic state whose citizens have chosen a pro-European and democratic path, and it is being brutally attacked by a power seeking to subjugate it.
Many analysts and political leaders argue that the outcome of this war will have far-reaching consequences—not only for Ukraine, but for the future of democracy worldwide. In the West, there is broad consensus that a Russian victory would embolden authoritarian regimes globally, while a Ukrainian success would strengthen liberal democracy and reinforce the post-1945 international order.
At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that not all countries share this ideological framing. Actors such as China and parts of the Global South often approach the conflict from different perspectives. Nevertheless, what is ultimately at stake is clear.
The outcome of the war will send a powerful message about the strength of collective security and the resilience of the post-Cold War international system. If Ukraine’s sovereignty is upheld and Russia’s aggression is repelled, it will reaffirm the principle that borders cannot be changed by force—representing a victory for international law and a clear demonstration of democratic states’ willingness to stand together in defense of these fundamental principles.
This article and refined transcript were prepared by the author with AI-assisted language refinement and editorial support. The content remains fully faithful to the original video address. All responsibility for interpretation and publication rests with the author.
Watch the full video from the conference: