Geopolitization of the European Union in light of the redistribution of security burden in the Euro-Atlantic

The first part of the research is dedicated to the relationship between the US and its European allies in the context of “dual decoupling” and “dual containment”. The author explores the redistribution of costs and burdens in the framework of confrontation with Russia and the growing rivalry with China. It is demonstrated that the post-2020 US – EU reset turned out to be declarative to a significant extent and unfavorable for the EU’s chances of real autonomy in the international arena. The second part of the article is focused on the EU geopolitization caused by the escalation in the competition among major powers and the multiple problems in its own development. This process revolves around the revival of the principle of “hard power” in the EU policy, its attempts to acquire subjectivity in the world affairs with reliance on coercive power, manoeuvring, adaptation to the conditions of polycentricity. Geopolitization of the EU leads to a radical review of the long-established notions including interdependence. The conclusion is drawn that the policies of dual decoupling, dual containment and the consequences of the Ukrainian crisis result in negative dynamics in the cost-benefit analysis of Russia’s rivals.

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