Gülru Gezer is a senior policy analyst and political consultant, having previously served as Consul General of Türkiye to Los Angeles and her country’s diplomat in a number of foreign capitals including Moscow and Damascus. You may follow her on Twitter @g_gulru.

Towards the end of 2021, Russia had sent nearly 100,000 troops to its border with Ukraine for “military exercises.” There were differing views about Russia’s true intentions. On February 24th, 2022, however, it launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine. It was soon apparent that Russia’s occupation would result in a prolonged war, as Ukraine had significantly fortified and restructured its army. Kiev had no intention of repeating what had happened during the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

After the war in Bosnia between 1992 and 1995, the European continent is witnessing yet another and deadlier battle. Russia’s threats ranging from nuclear destruction to cutting energy supply to Europe caused panic, not only in Europe but around the world.

Regardless of the outcome of the war, one thing is clear: the world will not be the same. The events that unfold today will shape the dynamics of the twenty-first century. There are several discussions on a potential division between democracies and autocracies, or how multilateralism will prevail in a multipolar world. Yet, at the very center of each discussion is energy security. The United States has placed energy security at the very core of its national security agenda. Europe has also taken important steps in this direction. That being said, the war in Ukraine has shown just how vulnerable Europe actually is in terms of energy.

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