Mobilizing Europe; The Strategic Necessity of European Advocacy

Strengthening the Shield: A Strategic Guide to European Political Advocacy for Ukraine

While Defense Tech for Ukraine (DTU) remains steadfastly focused on the innovation, development, and deployment of cutting-edge defense technologies to bolster Ukraine’s frontline capabilities, the technical side of the conflict is only one half of the equation. Scientific breakthroughs in defense tech require a stable, robust, and expanding foundation of state-level support to reach the battlefield at scale. It is just as important to ensure that the governmental funding and institutional backing for these critical weapons systems are not only maintained but significantly increased.

In recent months, the world has witnessed a shifting landscape in international security. As the United States—the world’s foremost military superpower—navigates internal political complexities that have led to fluctuations and decreases in immediate military aid, the burden of security and the moral imperative of leadership have shifted decisively toward Europe. For Ukraine to prevail and for European security to be preserved, it is essential that the European Union and its member states dramatically increase their support.

The survival of a free Ukraine depends on more than just engineers and soldiers; it requires a grassroots movement of dedicated individuals influencing the halls of power. Defense Tech for Ukraine encourages its entire network of volunteers and supporters to pivot toward political advocacy for Ukraine. This is particularly vital for our supporters located in—or with ties to—Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the administrative heart of the continent, Brussels.

This guide outlines how you can utilize civic engagement, lobbying, and public affairs strategies to ensure that European governments remain the unwavering backbone of Ukraine’s defense. To get involved, sign up for volunteer opportunities at European Action for Ukraine (EAU)

The Strategic Necessity of European Advocacy

The transition from a US-led aid model to a Europe-centric support structure requires a fundamental shift in public policy. For decades, many European nations have operated under a “peace dividend”  and “safe under the American security umbrella” mindset. Reversing this requires active government advocacy to convince legislators that investing in Ukraine’s defense is an investment in the long-term stability of the European continent.

Advocacy is the process of building public and political pressure to influence specific outcomes. In this context, it means ensuring that every Euro allocated to defense is spent effectively and that the political will to support Ukraine does not succumb to “Ukraine fatigue.” Through political advocacy, volunteers can bridge the gap between technical defense needs and the legislative actions required to fund them.

Why Your Voice Matters Now

Governments in democratic societies are responsive to their constituents. When thousands of citizens engage in civic engagement, it changes the risk-reward calculation for politicians. If the public is silent, opposition voices—often funded by adversarial interests—become the loudest in the room. By engaging in lobbying for Ukraine, you provide the necessary counterweight to ensure that the defense of democracy remains a top priority on the European agenda.

Core Pillars of Remote Advocacy and Lobbying

You do not need to be in a parliament building to be effective. Modern public affairs and international relations are shaped by digital footprints, coordinated communication, and the power of organized grassroots movements.

1. Direct Legislative Engagement (Lobbying)

While “lobbying” often carries a corporate connotation, lobbying for Ukraine is a vital form of democratic participation. It involves directly communicating with elected officials and their staff to provide information and request specific policy actions.

• Contacting MEPs and MPs: If you are a resident of an EU member state or the UK, your representative has a duty to hear your concerns. Write personalized emails and physical letters. In EU advocacy, reaching out to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) is crucial, as they vote on macro-financial assistance packages and pan-European defense initiatives.

• Focus on Specific Proposals: Move beyond general “support for Ukraine” statements. Advocate for specific public policy shifts, such as using frozen Russian funds for Ukraine’s defense, the increased production of 155mm artillery shells, the transfer of long-range missile systems (like Taurus or Storm Shadow), and the integration of Ukrainian defense tech into European supply chains.

• Utilize Public Affairs Expertise: If you have a background in public affairs, use those skills to draft policy briefs that simplify complex defense needs for generalist politicians.

2. Shaping the Narrative through Public Relations

Support for Ukraine is often a battle of perception. Public relations (PR) and international relations are intertwined; how a country perceives its role in the world dictates its foreign policy

• Countering Misinformation: Pro-Russian narratives often target the European public sector with claims that aid to Ukraine causes domestic inflation or depletes national stocks. Your civic engagement for Ukraine should involve sharing data-driven content that highlights how a Ukrainian victory prevents a much more costly wider war.

• Media Outreach: Write Op-Eds for local and national newspapers in Germany, France, and the UK. Highlighting the synergy between European Action for Ukraine and European security can help frame the conflict as a shared technological and military challenge.

• Digital EU Public Relations: Use social platforms to tag European ministries of defense and foreign affairs. Consistent, professional, and urgent messaging keeps Ukraine at the forefront of the digital public policy debate.

3. Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing

Civic engagement is the heartbeat of any political movement. It involves mobilizing the broader community to take collective action.

• Digital Petitions and Campaigns: Support and circulate petitions that demand specific legislative actions. In the context of EU civic engagement, look for European Citizens’ Initiatives that can force a debate in the European Commission.

• Organizing Awareness Events: Even remote volunteers can organize webinars featuring defense experts or Ukrainian veterans. These events foster a sense of community and keep the political advocacy for Ukraine movement energized.

• Building Coalitions: Reach out to other NGOs, think tanks, and professional associations. European affairs are complex; by building a coalition of voices from the tech, legal, and military sectors, our advocacy becomes much harder for governments to ignore.

Regional Focus: Germany, France, the UK, and Brussels

To maximize the impact of your political advocacy, it is important to understand the specific political landscapes of the key European players.

Germany: The Industrial Powerhouse

Germany’s “Zeitenwende” (historic turning point) has seen a massive shift in its defense posture, but the public policy for Ukraine in Berlin can often be hesitant.

• The Goal: Push for faster decision-making cycles.

• Tactics: Target members of the Bundestag, especially those on the Defense and Foreign Affairs committees. Focus on the narrative that German industrial leadership and Ukrainian frontline experience are a winning combination for European affairs.

France: Leading European Strategic Autonomy

France champions the idea of “Strategic Autonomy.” Our government advocacy here should align with this vision.

• The Goal: Encourage France to match its rhetorical leadership with increased physical deliveries of advanced hardware.

• Tactics: Engage with the French public sector by emphasizing how supporting Ukraine strengthens the overall European defense industrial base—a core tenet of French international relations strategy.

The United Kingdom: The Persistent Ally

The UK has often been a first-mover in providing advanced weaponry. However, maintaining this momentum requires constant lobbying.

• The Goal: Ensure that the UK remains the most forward-leaning non-EU partner in Europe.

• Tactics: Leverage the UK’s strong tradition of constituency-based civic engagement. Work with MPs from all parties to maintain the cross-party consensus on public affairs for Ukraine.

Brussels: The Heart of EU Public Policy

EU advocacy in Brussels is perhaps the most complex yet rewarding area. The European Commission and the Council of the European Union hold the keys to multi-billion Euro funds.

• The Goal: Streamline the European Peace Facility (EPF) and ensure the “Act in Support of Ammunition Production” (ASAP) is fully utilized.

• Tactics: Focus on EU public affairs by targeting permanent representations of member states. EU lobbying requires a deep understanding of the legislative calendar; timing your interventions with European Council summits is critical.

EAU Webinars & Training sessions

EAU regularly hosts interactive webinars that focus on the practical application of public affairs and civic engagement for Ukraine. These sessions are designed to move beyond theory and provide volunteers with actionable strategies.

• Lobbying the European Union: This specialized workshop focuses on EU advocacy. You will learn how to identify key decision-makers in Brussels, draft effective policy briefs, and navigate the legislative cycles of the European Parliament to ensure Ukraine remains a top priority.

• Exposing & Fighting Russian Propaganda: A recurring session dedicated to public relations defense. We provide deep dives into current disinformation trends and teach you how to use factual data and strategic communication to neutralize adversarial narratives in your local public sector.

• Weekly Strategy Calls: We host weekly calls in English, German, and French to coordinate local government advocacy efforts and share real-time updates on European legislative shifts.

• Getting Involved: Navigate to europeanactionforukraine.org/events to view our full calendar.

Technical Advocacy: Bridging Defense Technology and Politics

Defense Tech for Ukraine is uniquely positioned to provide the “why” behind the “what” of political advocacy. When you engage in public policy for Ukraine, you are not just asking for money; you are advocating for the tools of victory.

• Advocating for R&D Integration: Push for European governments to include Ukrainian tech startups in their defense R&D grants. This is a form of EU public policy that creates a circular benefit: Ukraine gets better tech, and Europe gains a more resilient defense sector.

• Promoting Regulatory Reform: Many defense innovations are slowed down by bureaucratic red tape. Use government advocacy to call for fast-track certification for battle-proven technologies developed by DTU and its partners.

Call to Action: Become an Advocate Today

The fight for Ukraine’s survival is being waged on two fronts: the physical trenches of the Donbas and the legislative corridors of Europe. While our engineers work on the former, our volunteers must master the latter.

Your civic engagement is the fuel that allows Defense Tech for Ukraine’s innovations to reach the field. By mastering public affairs, engaging in ethical and persistent lobbying, and driving political advocacy for Ukraine, you are directly contributing to the liberation of Ukrainian territory and the long-term safety of the European home.

Practical Steps You Can Take Now:

1. Identify Your Representatives: Use online tools to find your local MPs, MEPs, or relevant ministry contacts.
2. Draft Your First Letter: Focus on a single, clear objective—such as increasing the 2026 defense budget for Ukraine.
3. Join Our Advocacy Channel: Connect with other DTU volunteers to coordinate “Twitter storms,” letter-writing campaigns, and virtual public relations blitzes.
4. Stay Informed: Follow updates on European affairs and EU international relations to ensure your advocacy is timely and relevant.

The era of relying solely on the Atlantic bridge is evolving. Europe must step up. Through your advocacy, your lobbying, and your unwavering civic engagement, we will ensure that the governments of Europe provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win.

Ukraine’s defense is Europe’s defense. Let us advocate like our future depends on it—because it does.

To get involved, sign up for volunteer opportunities at European Action for Ukraine (EAU)