Leiden University Student Repository

Weremczuk, Agata (2024)

The Power Shift within the European Union? A Case Study on Poland's Leading Role in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis

Master thesis | Political Science (MSc)

The dynamics of power in international relations are inherently fluid and subject to ongoing change. There is a growing recognition that the influence within the European Union is gradually moving away from powers like France and Germany towards countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The aforementioned transition was precipitated, among other factors, by the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, which has significantly impacted geopolitical terrain. Poland, a nation with significant economic and military prowess and a sizable population, is positioning itself as a key player aiming to rebalance power dynamics in favor of Central and Eastern European member states that have historically been marginalized. This study seeks to answer the question concerning the presence of a power shift within the European Union, and to identify the fundamental causes driving this change.

power shift

European Union

power

Poland

war in Ukraine

Author

Weremczuk, Agata

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

International Politics

Supervisors

Ivan Bakalov

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en