Ukraine war: Europe has turned a crisis into an opportunity, and it’s better off for it

“The main impact has been to create more unity,” says Charles Grant, director of the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank.

“It’s been positive for European integration and it’s created some momentum towards doing more things together than was feasible before the war.”

Mr Grant identifies common EU action in energy and defence as vital steps, with new moves by governments to procure increasingly powerful weaponry together, and a stronger role by Brussels in organising gas markets, storage levels and pricing systems.

“I think this crisis may well be the one that really gives integration a kick forwards,” he says.