News

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_07_17_at_11_53_24_3e1d1b2e9b.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-07-17 at 11.53.24.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_17_at_11_53_24_3e1d1b2e9b.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_17_at_11_53_24_3e1d1b2e9b.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_17_at_11_53_24_3e1d1b2e9b.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_17_at_11_53_24_3e1d1b2e9b.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The population of Ukraine in government-controlled territories stands at 29 million people – this is a joint estimate by the State Statistics Service and the Institute of Demography, made without a census, based on data from mobile operators and government registries. This was stated by Ella Libanova, Director of the Mykhaylo Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Life Quality Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in an episode of the Open Reality project.“As of today, this is the joint estimate by the State Statistics Service and our Institute – 29 million. I always add that it’s up or down by about 300,000,” she noted.Since there has not been a census in Ukraine since 2001, the researchers used data from three mobile operators as a basis, supplementing it with other sources.“We used this database as our foundation and supplemented it with various existing sources of information for verification and refinement: the labor market; data from the Pension Fund, which is aggregated with tax authority data and includes more than just pensioners; data from the Migration Service and the Ministry of Justice from the demographic registry; we also used the ‘school registry’ and EHealth,” the demographer explained.Libanova acknowledged that this method is not flawless, but there is currently no alternative to it.She also noted that, according to Eurostat, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians currently reside in European countries. According to Libanova, there is no reliable data on the number of Ukrainians who have left for Russia since the start of the full-scale war.She also noted that in the temporarily occupied territories, Russia is pursuing a policy of demographic replacement: the Ukrainian population is being displaced, and people from other regions of the Russian Federation are being settled there instead, which, in her opinion, is a continuation of the practice of population assimilation.Watch the interview via the link.The OPEN REALITY special project on information security and critical thinking was launched by the Open Ukraine Foundation and the Kyiv Security Forum – initiatives of Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

The population of Ukraine in government-controlled territories stands at 29 million people – this is a joint estimate by the State Statistics Service and the Institute of Demography, made without a census, based on data from mobile operators and government registries. This was stated by Ella Libanova, Director of the Mykhaylo Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Life Quality Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in an episode of the Open Reality project.

Libanova: There are 29 million people living in Ukraine-controlled territory, and 4.3 million Ukrainians living in Europe

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Lub3_jpg_5db430d88e.jpeg" alt="Lub3.jpg.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Lub3_jpg_5db430d88e.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Lub3_jpg_5db430d88e.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Lub3_jpg_5db430d88e.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Lub3_jpg_5db430d88e.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>It is Ukraine’s NATO membership that will put an end to the war, as Russia started it in order to reshape Europe’s security order. This was stated by Danylo Lubkivsky, a member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2014, during a special KSF discussion entitled ‘NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges and the Way Forward’.‘Russia launched this war to rewrite Europe’s security order. Let us recall Moscow’s ultimatum of December 2021, when Russia demanded that NATO withdraw its forces from across Eastern Europe. It wanted to turn Ukraine into a military bridgehead from which Russia could intimidate Europe, divide the Alliance and prepare for further aggression against NATO itself,” he noted.The diplomat emphasised that Ukraine had thwarted these plans and was making a strategic investment every day in the security of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. According to him, unable to defeat Ukraine by military means, the Kremlin is attempting to divide the Alliance from within.“Russia exploits anti-Ukrainian narratives to divide Poland; it plays on short-sighted nationalism and domestic political calculations in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic; it supports both the far right and the far left in an effort to weaken Germany and France; it seeks to manipulate President Trump and the political debate in the United States to undermine American leadership and transatlantic unity,” noted Danylo Lubkivsky.He emphasised that the key message from Ankara was the preservation of allied unity, which must now be translated into concrete action. “Protect Ukraine’s skies. Provide Ukraine with the military capabilities needed to break Russia's ability to wage this war. Recognise a simple strategic reality: Ukraine has bought Europe time to rebuild its defence. Now Europe must use this time wisely. America must return,” the diplomat emphasised.The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

It is Ukraine’s NATO membership that will put an end to the war, as Russia started it in order to reshape Europe’s security order. This was stated by Danylo Lubkivsky, a member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2014, during a special KSF discussion entitled ‘NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges and the Way Forward’.

Lubkivsky: Ukraine’s NATO membership will bring an end to the war

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/20260708_161022_jpg_8252ba54e2.jpeg" alt="20260708_161022.jpg.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_20260708_161022_jpg_8252ba54e2.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_20260708_161022_jpg_8252ba54e2.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_20260708_161022_jpg_8252ba54e2.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_20260708_161022_jpg_8252ba54e2.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>That NATO summit at which Ukraine finally joins the Alliance will truly be historic – a process that began back in 2008. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a special discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges and the Way Forward’.“We started the process of Ukraine’s accession to NATO back in 2008, when I was Speaker of Parliament. We appealed to the Alliance to provide us with a Membership Action Plan. But for practically the next 18 years, we have seen delays. At the same time, the Alliance has done an incredible amount for Ukraine, shouldering both the financial and military burdens. We have been standing up to Russia for at least 12 years. Putin has failed to capture Ukraine and he never will,” he noted.Yatsenyuk identified air defence missiles and deterrents as Ukraine’s key requirements. “First and foremost, we urgently need air defence systems and means of deterring the enemy – long-range weapons. Every night, Russia launches ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine. Last night, even the air-raid warning system failed to go off on time: first we heard explosions in Kyiv, and only then, after 1–2 minutes, did the sirens start to sound,” said the Chairman of the KSF.Addressing Ukraine’s allies, Yatsenyuk emphasised the conditions for Ukraine’s victory – turning the screws” on Russia, increasing Ukraine’s production capacity and securing air defence systems.The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

That NATO summit at which Ukraine finally joins the Alliance will truly be historic – a process that began back in 2008. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a special discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges and the Way Forward’.

Yatsenyuk: I am looking forward to the historic NATO summit when Ukraine joins the Alliance

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_07_09_at_10_33_27_a73c8a765f.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-07-09 at 10.33.27.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_09_at_10_33_27_a73c8a765f.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_09_at_10_33_27_a73c8a765f.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_09_at_10_33_27_a73c8a765f.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_07_09_at_10_33_27_a73c8a765f.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The NATO summit in Ankara was one of the most important, as the Alliance demonstrated tangible results and is now stronger than ever. This was stated by Tanya Hartman, Head of the Policy East Team of the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division at NATO Headquarters, during a special discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”“This has been one of the most consequential summits that we have had in a long time. Last year in the Hague, we took important decisions, important commitments. And this was the year when we demonstrated action, we demonstrated that we were delivering, that we were actually showing what we were accomplishing. NATO is now stronger than ever: we are building more, we are buying more, we are procuring more, and we are delivering more. NATO’s deterrence and defence are stronger than they have ever been: we are ready – both in terms of political will and military capability – to defend all allies and every inch of Alliance territory,” she noted.Hartman also emphasized the Alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine. At the same time, she noted that Ukraine is now a “provider and investor” in security. “Our support and commitment to Ukraine are unwavering. Not only in the just announced commitment to provide 70 billion euros of support in training equipment and other capabilities for Ukraine in 2026. We have also committed to doing the same next year so that Ukraine can defend itself against attacks and to strengthen the country’s security in the long term,” the NATO representative emphasized.The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

The NATO summit in Ankara was one of the most important, as the Alliance demonstrated tangible results and is now stronger than ever. This was stated by Tanya Hartman, Head of the Policy East Team of the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division at NATO Headquarters, during a special discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”

Hartman: The Alliance is now stronger than ever and ready to defend every inch of its territory

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Taylor_cde8ebdf54.jpg" alt="Taylor.jpg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Taylor_cde8ebdf54.jpg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Taylor_cde8ebdf54.jpg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Taylor_cde8ebdf54.jpg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Taylor_cde8ebdf54.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The U.S. midterm congressional elections will not significantly affect support for Ukraine – the majority of Americans consistently support the country. This was noted by William Taylor, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009 and from 2019 to 2020, during a special discussion organised by the Kyiv Security Forum titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”Responding to a question about the possible consequences of the November elections, Taylor emphasized the consistent level of support for Ukraine in the U.S. “Congress has been very clear in its support for Ukraine in its opposition to Russia. The delegation of congressmen in Ankara serves as a demonstration of this support. The same can be said about the general public: if you ask Americans how they feel about Ukrainians, the majority believes that support for Ukraine should be strengthened,” he noted.According to him, the current administration can also move in this direction. “I don’t see these elections in November having a great effect, since the general direction of support is already there,” the diplomat emphasized.Separately, Taylor emphasized that Ukraine is a contributor to security and “is doing what NATO was formed to do – deterring Russia.”The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

The U.S. midterm congressional elections will not significantly affect support for Ukraine –the majority of Americans consistently support the country. This was noted by William Taylor, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009 and from 2019 to 2020, during a special discussion organised by the Kyiv Security Forum titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”

Taylor: Most Americans Believe Support for Ukraine Should Be Strengthened

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Buzhanskiy_29cca3827e.jpg" alt="Buzhanskiy.jpg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Buzhanskiy_29cca3827e.jpg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Buzhanskiy_29cca3827e.jpg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Buzhanskiy_29cca3827e.jpg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Buzhanskiy_29cca3827e.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The most important message from the meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States at the NATO summit in Ankara was Donald Trump’s decision to give the green light for the production of missiles for Patriot systems in Ukraine. This was stated by Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels), during a special Kyiv Security Forum discussion titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”According to him, Ukraine’s ability to carry out deep strikes on Russian territory brings us closer to the prospect of forcing Moscow to the negotiating table.Buzanski broke down the summit’s success into several components, citing the deepening of Ukraine’s defense cooperation as the first. “These include successes in defense industry collaboration, financing, formation of new partnerships, funding for production, and providing financing for projects utilizing new Ukrainian technologies and innovations,” he emphasized.Buzanski also highlighted a clear signal of long-term support for Ukraine as equally important. “Funding will continue to be provided to put pressure on Russia. Putin is now threatening to strike, hoping for a lack of unity. He would very much like to prevent Ukraine from receiving Patriot systems from other countries,” concluded the Director of the KSF European Office.The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

The most important message from the meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States at the NATO summit in Ankara was Donald Trump’s decision to give the green light for the production of missiles for Patriot systems in Ukraine. This was stated by Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels), during a special Kyiv Security Forum discussion titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”

The main signal from Ankara was Trump’s “green light” for Patriot missiles – Director of the European Office of KSF Buzanski

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Volker_be41eb68c9.jpg" alt="Volker.jpg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Volker_be41eb68c9.jpg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Volker_be41eb68c9.jpg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Volker_be41eb68c9.jpg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Volker_be41eb68c9.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Despite the Kremlin’s unchanging rhetoric, Russia sees that NATO is becoming increasingly united, and Ukraine is succeeding in bringing the war onto Russian territory. This was stated by Kurt Volker, a member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations from 2017 to 2019, during a special KSF discussion titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”“We always have to differentiate between what the Russians say and why they say it. They say they are monitoring the summit, and they are not giving any ground. Meanwhile, Putin says he is ready for peace, but in reality, that is not the case. We shouldn’t take everything at face value,” noted the former U.S. Special Representative.Volker emphasized that the reality on the ground is not in Russia’s favour. “Russians see that NATO is more unified than they would like to see, and Ukraine is succeeding in extending the war into Russian territory with drones. Russians are seeing drones in the skies. They are seeing huge lines for gasoline. They are seeing their oil refining capacity be taken out in Omsk, of all places, a thousand kilometers from the Ukrainian border. They are seeing that they cannot really get their logistical supplies to Crimea anymore, the way that they would need to sustain forces there,” the diplomat emphasized.At the same time, he noted that Putin continues to bluff, relying on his missile advantage. But the authorization to produce Patriot missiles in Ukraine – even though the launch process takes time – will strip him of that advantage in the long run.“Ukraine shoots down drones, but not always missiles, especially ballistic ones. This causes significant damage but will not have a strategic impact. Ukraine will not be able to produce Patriot missiles this month or next. But this [production decision] will clearly show Putin that all his red lines have already been crossed, things will only get worse from here, and he must agree to negotiations,” Volker said.The discussion took place in the Ukrainian capital as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy and foreign policy.Participants in the discussion included Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016); and Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Member of the Security Council, Kyiv Security Forum. Joining online were Tanya Hartman, Head, Policy East Team, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ; Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2006–2009; 2019–2020); Ambassador Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017–2019); Marcin Buzanski, Director of the European Office of the Kyiv Security Forum (Brussels). The discussion was moderated by Mark Lobel, a BBC journalist and BBC presenter.A video recording of the discussion is available in Ukrainian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/Dr3hmeNuWXs?si=M-LI7yDj433gfDZ-">here</a> and in English <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtu.be/wgE3iyVLBX0?si=hs6tGmTw78lFhtfk">here</a>.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on current security issues.

Despite the Kremlin’s unchanging rhetoric, Russia sees that NATO is becoming increasingly united, and Ukraine is succeeding in bringing the war onto Russian territory. This was stated by Kurt Volker, a member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations from 2017 to 2019, during a special KSF discussion titled “NATO Summit in Ankara: Decisions, Challenges, and the Way Forward.”

Volker: Putin wants to bluff his way through and keep the fight going, but the reality is not in his favor

<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/dejkrth_d94dd2ecba.jpeg" alt="dejkrth.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_dejkrth_d94dd2ecba.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_dejkrth_d94dd2ecba.jpeg 500w," sizes="100vw" width="500px">American Ambassador Kurt Volker – U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO in 2008–2009, U.S. State Department Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations in 2017–2019, and a leading expert on European and Euro-Atlantic security – has joined the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF).&nbsp;On July 8, during a special KSF discussion held following the NATO summit in Ankara, it was announced that Kurt Volker had joined the Forum’s Security Council. KSF Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk welcomed him to the Council, thanking for his long-standing support of Ukraine, active cooperation, and consistent promotion of Ukrainian interests on the international stage. For his part, Ambassador Volker emphasized that it was a great honor for him to join the KSF Security Council.&nbsp;Kurt Volker has been actively involved in KSF events for many years. During the 18th Kyiv Security Forum, held in April this year, he called for increasing economic pressure on the Kremlin through the imposition of secondary sanctions on Russian oil and for providing Ukraine with long-range weapons.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We must do everything we can to deepen and strengthen Ukraine economically, militarily, and institutionally,” Ambassador emphasized at the time.&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf.openukraine.org/en/contacts">The KSF Security Council</a> was founded in 2023. It is an informal advisory group comprising prominent international and Ukrainian statesmen, military leaders, diplomats, and security experts.&nbsp;Council Members:&nbsp;* Chairman of the KSF – Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016, founder of the Open Ukraine Foundation;* General David Petraeus, Commander of the US Central Command in 2008-2010, Director of the US CIA in 2011-2012;* Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee (2021-2025);* Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom in 2021-2025;* Anthony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia in 2013-2015;* Taavi Rõivas, Prime Minister of Estonia in 2014-2016;* Natalie Jaresko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, Minister of Finance of Ukraine in 2014-2016;* Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014;* Ramina Shut, Director of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf.openukraine.org/en">Kyiv Security Forum (KSF)</a> is Ukraine’s leading international platform for discussing issues of war, peace, and global security, launched in 2007 at the initiative of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.&nbsp;The KSF’s primary mission is to defend Ukraine’s national interests on the global stage. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: it keeps Ukraine at the center of the global agenda, expands our country’s circle of international partners, and builds expertise on pressing security issues. Since its founding, the KSF has organized thousands of events – including annual gatherings, special events, and online discussions. These events are followed by millions of people in Ukraine and abroad.&nbsp;

American Ambassador Kurt Volker – U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO in 2008–2009, U.S. State Department Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations in 2017–2019, and a leading expert on European and Euro-Atlantic security – has joined the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF).



Ambassador Kurt Volker has joined the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum


<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Ee9On8UG20?si=16Ep6Zx_q347Xjyi" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The U.S. approval for the production of PAC-3 missiles in Ukraine has become a turning point for Putin, as events are not unfolding as he had planned. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, speaking on BBC News.“This is a turning point for Putin, the war criminal. This is not what he expected. It’s great that President Trump decided to give the green light to a license for the production of PAC-3 missiles, which Ukraine desperately needs. But the fact is that this will take time. Only two countries have received such licenses – Japan and Germany. So, it will take at least two years to begin actual production of these extremely expensive missiles,” he noted.Yatsenyuk emphasized that protecting future production facilities from Russian strikes will pose a particular challenge. “Another question is where to locate such plants and production facilities. Without a doubt, the Russians will try to target precisely these facilities in order to undermine any efforts by Ukraine to produce missiles, which are in critically short supply both in Ukraine and around the world,” the KSF Chairman noted.He also warned of the threat of new Russian strikes on the energy sector this winter. “Winter is approaching. No peace talks with Putin ever took place – it was a special operation by the FSB, a sham negotiation. Putin, as always, wants to wait us out. He believes that in winter he will be able to strike at Ukrainian infrastructure, effectively causing another round of blackouts in Ukraine and bringing the country to a standstill,” Yatsenyuk pointed out.The Chairman of the KSF emphasized Putin’s lack of willingness to engage in genuine peace talks with Ukraine. Therefore, he stressed, the only solution is to increase pressure on Russia, provide Ukraine with additional military and financial support, and present a united transatlantic front against Putin.

The U.S. approval for the production of PAC-3 missiles in Ukraine has become a turning point for Putin, as events are not unfolding as he had planned. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, speaking on BBC News.

Yatsenyuk on BBC News: U.S. Approval of PAC-3 Missiles Is a Turning Point for Putin

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/l2_jpg_d96e76f897.jpeg" alt="l2.jpg.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_l2_jpg_d96e76f897.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_l2_jpg_d96e76f897.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_l2_jpg_d96e76f897.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_l2_jpg_d96e76f897.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The claim that Ukrainian men will leave Ukraine en masse once the war ends and the borders reopen is unfounded. Ella Libanova, Director of the Mykhaylo Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Life Quality Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasised this in an episode of the Open Reality project.Responding to a question about widespread predictions of a mass exodus, the demographer explained why such a scenario is unlikely. “Moving abroad is fine when someone is waiting for you there. There won’t be the same [temporary protection] status as before, and the assistance available today isn’t what it was in 2022–2023,” she noted.Libanova identified family reunification as the most likely reason for men leaving the country – when a husband returns from the front, while his wife and children have already settled in other countries. “If men return from the front or those who stayed here for various reasons, and there are no jobs here that would suit them, their homes are destroyed or never existed, while their wives are already employed abroad, renting accommodation, and the children are attending preschool or school – then this risk exists,” the demographer explained.According to her estimate, even in such a case, we would be talking about no more than half a million people. “But I don’t think that will happen,” Libanova added.She also noted that she sees no evidence to support reports of a mass exodus abroad of Ukrainian young men aged 18–22 following the issuance of the relevant permit last August. According to her, neither Eurostat data nor information from Ukrainian border guards indicates a significant increase in the proportion of young people among Ukrainians living abroad, although a certain increase in the total number of departures has indeed been recorded.Ella Libanova stated that she does not view the division between Ukrainians who remained in the country and those who left for abroad as a source of social division. In her view, the opposition between these groups is largely being artificially stoked, primarily by Russia, to exacerbate internal conflicts. She also emphasised that after the war, key conditions for Ukrainians’ return will include security, maintaining trust in the state, and constant communication with citizens abroad to convey the message that Ukraine needs them.Watch the interview at this link.The OPEN REALITY special project on information security and critical thinking was launched by the Open Ukraine Foundation and the Kyiv Security Forum – initiatives of Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

The claim that Ukrainian men will leave Ukraine en masse once the war ends and the borders reopen is unfounded. Ella Libanova, Director of the Mykhaylo Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Life Quality Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasised this in an episode of the Open Reality project.