As part of the Mind the Gap research project, our colleagues Sten Rynning and Anne Ingemann Johansen joined forces with policy practitioner and advisor to the Ukrainian government, Phillip Kjær Luscombe from Rasmussen Global, to engage a broader public in a timely debate on Europe’s security future after the war in Ukraine.

Held on 22 September 2025 in the historic setting of Odense Adelige Jomfrukloster, the event explored how Europe is navigating a new geopolitical reality marked by great-power rivalry, uncertainty about the post-war order, and intense diplomatic bargaining over Ukraine’s future. The discussion exemplified Mind the Gap’s core ambition: to translate cutting-edge security research into accessible public debate — without losing analytical depth.

Sten Rynning analysed how NATO’s role is evolving under pressure from both war fatigue and renewed deterrence demands, highlighting the strategic dilemmas facing European allies in a less predictable alliance environment. Anne Ingemann Johansen placed the war in a longer historical perspective, showing how Ukraine’s repeated attempts to balance between East and West continue to shape both the conflict and Europe’s security choices. From the practitioner’s side, Phillip Kjær Luscombe offered insight into ongoing negotiations and policy debates, illustrating how strategic considerations are translated into real-world diplomatic trade-offs.

The discussion demonstrated how dialogue between scholars and practitioners can enrich public understanding of security policy — by connecting theory, history, and policy practice. Audience questions underscored a strong demand for nuanced analysis of what peace might look like after Ukraine, and what it will mean for Europe’s security architecture more broadly.

The event was organized in collaboration with Word Festival and forms part of Mind the Gap’s ongoing efforts to bridge the divide between academic research, policy practice, and public debate on European and international security.