Havel stage | From Declaration to Deterrence: How Far Has European Defence Really Come?

As the European Commission advances its efforts to rebuild the European defence architecture, a comprehensive approach is being pursued that spans policy, industry, technology, and financing. While urgency and political momentum have increased in response to a deteriorating security environment, progress remains uneven across Member States. Persistent structural, political, and industrial constraints continue to raise questions about the EU’s ability to translate ambition into readiness and preparedness. Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence, Estonia (Keynote) Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Finland Robert de Groot, Vice-President, European Investment Bank Erik Balck Sørensen, Chief Investment Officer, EIFO Denmark Rob Murray, CEO, Defence, Security and Resilience Bank Development Group Led by: Zoya Sheftalovich, Chief EU Correspondent, POLITICO