The Council of the European Union has adopted a Common Understanding outlining the threats and challenges facing the EU, identifying Russia as the most immediate and direct threat to European security and China as a critical long-term strategic challenge. The document, dated 9 July 2026 and scheduled for discussion on 13 July 2026, provides a 360-degree assessment of the EU's strategic environment, calling for strengthened defence readiness, security, and deterrence capabilities.
The Common Understanding notes that Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shattered the post-Cold War security architecture, and that China is a key enabler of that aggression. It also highlights that the United States is recalibrating its priorities and reviewing its defence contribution to Europe, expecting Europeans to assume greater responsibility. The document points to another active conflict theatre in the Middle East, with the recent war in the Gulf and continuing tensions regarding Israel–Palestine and Lebanon.
Russia has stepped up hybrid campaigns against the EU and member states, including disruption of critical infrastructure, espionage, cyberattacks, election interference, and physical sabotage. The document stresses that NATO remains the foundation of collective defence for its members. Enlargement is reinforced as a geostrategic contribution to European peace, security, stability, and prosperity, with the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine seen as integral parts of the EU's future with a membership perspective.
Belarus' domestic repression, military support to Russia, and hybrid operations at EU external borders are described as a serious security challenge. Iran, with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, military cooperation with Russia, and destabilising activities, continues to be a threat to regional and international security. The Indo-Pacific and European security are more interlinked than ever, and a change of status quo around the Taiwan Strait would have profound impact on global security.
Transnational threats include terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, hybrid conflicts, cyberattacks, instrumentalisation of irregular migration, and arms proliferation. The document concludes that the EU faces a long-term multi-dimensional crisis environment where the primary challenge is managing cumulative and interacting shocks across domains and regions, requiring integrated approaches and reduced vulnerabilities in all critical strategic sectors.
The Common Understanding serves as a basis for further policy work, including potential updates to the EU's Strategic Compass. The document will be discussed by ministers at the General Affairs Council on 13 July 2026.