Leaders agreed that the Summit for Democracy process will continue to improve coordination among democracies. If the EU is to prove its credibility and effectiveness, concrete actions are needed in the months ahead.

The ways in which democracies interact with autocracies can also play a role in sustaining repressive regimes. Democratic governments must adopt more holistic approaches that offset the negative implications of international engagement.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has dramatically altered the security and defense architecture of Europe. It also has the potential to reshape democracy support policies, changing practices of defending and extending democratic values and of interactions with autocratic states.

In spite of its authoritarian practices, Ethiopia has attracted billions in international aid. The November 2020 conflict in the northern Tigray region should prompt a recalibration of the development model, which promotes economic gains without political inclusion.