The EU is enhancing its strategic security and defense partnerships to address hybrid threats and military aggression, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine. The goal is to improve interoperability, innovation, and industrial cooperation with like-minded partners, particularly NATO. These partnerships aim to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy while maintaining multilateral cooperation and complementarity with NATO. Priority is given to collaborations with Ukraine, the U.S., and Indo-Pacific nations to tackle global security challenges. The EU seeks long-term defense capabilities while preserving the transatlantic partnership.