EU Foreign Policy Still Hindered by National Divisions Despite Some Progress After Ukraine Crisis
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The EU struggles to act cohesively and exert influence on the global stage, as evidenced by its response to the Gaza crisis.
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EU foreign policy remains largely driven by individual member states like Germany and France, not EU institutions.
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Reasons for EU foreign policy weakness include lack of political integration, small budget, no military, and conflicting national interests.
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Ukraine crisis has pushed some foreign policy progress like sanctions and defense spending.
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But core obstacle remains unwillingness of member states to truly pool foreign policy assets and sovereignty.