It is 2040 and Europe stands as a beacon of democracy and human rights in the World. After the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, a new European leadership based around principles of neo-idealism emerged. Europeans, led by front-line countries like Ukraine, the Baltic states and Poland, decided to build up their capabilities to enhance their security and strategic autonomy. The EU supported Ukraine throughout the war, until Russia lost. Subsequently, the EU supported Ukraine in its rebuilding efforts until eventually welcoming it into the Union and NATO, as one of its strongest militaries and fastest growing economies. In addition to NATO, the Baltics, Ukraine, Poland, Finland and the UK formed another mutual assistance military alliance to protect against potential Russian aggression.