EU-NIQUE PERSPECTIVES? ANALYSING CONTRASTING POSITIONS ON THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT WITHIN THE EU

Authors

  • MATILDE RAMOS
  • FILIPA SÁ
  • NOA SILVA
  • MARIANA RESENDE
  • ISABELLA CASTRO

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.16.2.13

Keywords:

European Union, Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Member States, European Commission, consensus

Abstract

This research examines the various positions adopted by the European Union (EU) Member States in response to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict, since its reignition on February 24th, 2022. The study is based on a content discourse analysis of speeches and official statements released by individual EU Member States, namely Poland, owing to its historical relations with the Eastern Bloc and its noteworthiness in accommodating refugees; followed by Germany and its pivotal role in providing military equipment to Ukraine; and lastly, Hungary, due to the contentious public statements issued by its Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. The analysis is complemented by an examination of the broader foreign policy orientations of these countries that shape their responses. The primary aim is to assess whether the Union maintains a cohesive consensus on the conflict or if diverging positions weaken its support for Ukraine. Ultimately, through a juxtaposition of opinions issued by Poland, Germany, and Hungary against the overall EU stance, we conclude that the European Union’s support for Ukraine is not as robust and cohesive as expected.

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Author Biographies

MATILDE RAMOS

MSc student in International Economics and Management at the School of Economics and Management (FEP) of the University of Porto (Portugal). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Porto since July 2024. During her studies, she participated in the Erasmus+ Programme, spending one semester at the Free University of Brussels (ULB). Her academic interests include European Union affairs, foreign direct investment, and bureaucracy studies.

FILIPA SÁ

MSc student in International Economics and Management at the School of Economics and Management (FEP) of the University of Porto (Portugal). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Porto since July 2024 and was awarded the University of Porto Merit Scholarship (2023/2024). During her studies, she participated in the Erasmus+ Programme, spending one semester at the Free University of Brussels (ULB). Her academic interests include European Union affairs, international trade, and corruption studies.

NOA SILVA

MA student in History, International Relations and Cooperation at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FLUP) of the University of Porto (Portugal). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Porto since July 2024. During her studies, she participated in the Erasmus+ Programme, spending one semester at the Freie Universität Berlin (FU). Her academic interests include European Union affairs, feminist approaches to international relations, and peacebuilding in post-conflict scenarios.

MARIANA RESENDE

Postgraduate student in International Relations and Political and Economic Diplomacy at Lusófona University of Porto (Portugal). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Porto since July 2024. During her studies, she participated in the Erasmus+ Programme, completing one semester at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest. Her academic interests include soft power, the role of culture in shaping Grand Strategy, economic diplomacy, and international relations.

ISABELLA CASTRO

MA student in Marketing at Católica Porto Business School, UCP (Portugal). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages and International Relations from the University of Porto since July 2024. As part of her undergraduate studies, she participated in the Erasmus+ Programme and completed one semester at Goethe University Frankfurt. Her academic interests include business strategy, consumer behavior, and international affairs.

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Published

2025-11-12

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2: November 2025-April 2026

Section

ARTICLES