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The world must learn to live with constant threats and stop viewing them as a temporary phenomenon. A key mistake of democratic societies is their unwillingness to accept that evil is a permanent feature of international politics.James Sherr, Honorary Research Fellow at the Estonian International Center for Defense and Security, made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”"If we don't want darkness to prevail, we must stop fearing it. We must acknowledge that it is part of reality and that compromise or patience alone will not stop it," Sherr emphasized.The expert stressed that the main task today is not to eliminate the threat entirely, but to prevent its spread. He said that to accomplish this, it is crucial to clearly demonstrate to the aggressor the consequences of their actions. "We must show that aggression will have devastating consequences. Evil has its weaknesses, and we must exploit them,” he said.Speaking about Russia, Sherr noted that its current model is unstable. In particular, he assessed that the country’s economy is gradually being depleted and that the military system largely relies on coercion and corruption.He also expressed doubt about Russia’s ability to win the war against Ukraine, comparing the country to a system that collapses when it loses the ability to expand.The expert emphasized Ukraine’s evolving role, which he said is moving beyond the traditional notion of a state merely defending itself."Ukraine is demonstrating not only military resilience, but also innovation. It is effectively rethinking the nature of war itself and gradually becoming a provider of security solutions,” he emphasized.Sherr stressed that recognizing this role could be pivotal in strengthening Ukraine’s position on the international stage.Open Ukraine is an international foundation established by Arseniy Yatsenyuk in July 2007 to strengthen Ukraine's authority in the world. The foundation organizes the Kyiv Security Forum every year. This leading international discussion platform focuses on issues of war and peace. The foundation also organizes the Youth Kyiv Security Forum to develop a new generation of Ukrainian leaders.

We must stop fearing the darkness and accept the existence of evil – James Sherr 

On the Occasion of the Kyiv Security Forum April 202623 April 2026We, Nobel Peace Prize laureates of Nobel Women’s Initiative, stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and with the women whose leadership, resilience, and courage are sustaining communities and shaping the path toward justice.At a time when Ukraine continues to endure relentless attacks, we write to express our unwavering support and solidarity. We unequivocally condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression and the grave violations of human rights and international law that have accompanied it.As discussions about Ukraine’s future continue to unfold, one point must be made clear: the human dimension must be restored to the center of decision-making, grounded in the lives, rights, and dignity of those most affected. Too often, these discussions are reduced to territories, resources, and geopolitical arrangements.When people are forgotten, when occupied territories are spoken of as empty spaces, the reality of this war is obscured. Occupation is not a neutral condition; it is a continuation of violence, marked by repression, fear, and constant threat. Ignoring these realities leads to flawed approaches that cannot deliver a just or lasting peace.There can be no just or lasting peace without accountability. Justice is essential, and those responsible must be held to account.Ukrainian civil society has made this clear from the beginning. And across Ukraine, women have been at the forefront, sustaining communities, documenting war crimes, supporting survivors, and demanding justice. They are leading in occupied territories, in detention, in displacement, and in communities rebuilding under constant threat.Ukrainian women are not waiting to be included. They are already leading. Yet too often, their voices, and the voices of those most affected, remain excluded from political and security decision-making. This must change.Women must have equal and meaningful participation in all peace negotiations, including in key decision-making spaces and forums such as the Kyiv Security Forum. The commitments of the Women, Peace and Security agenda must be upheld, not only in principle, but in practice.This must be matched by sustained and flexible funding for women-led and feminist civil society organizations, whose work is essential and too often under-resourced in efforts toward justice, recovery, and lasting peace.We also recognize that this war is fought not only on the battlefield, but in the information space. The manipulation of truth and the erosion of trust are part of the strategy of war. Defending truth is part of defending democracy, and part of defending Ukraine.To the people of Ukraine: we honour your courage, your resistance, and your determination to defend your future. We see the leadership of women who continue to hold communities together and demand justice in the face of immense pressure. We stand with you.And we will continue to insist that all paths to peace must begin with the people of Ukraine and remain accountable to those whose lives, rights, and futures are most affected.Nobel Women’s Initiative is led by eight women Nobel Peace Prize laureates - Jody Williams (USA), Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Tawakkol Karman (Yemen), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), Rigoberta Menchú Tum (Guatemala), Narges Mohammadi (Iran), Maria Ressa (Philippines) and Oleksandra Matviichuk (Ukraine).Women are crucial to attaining lasting peace, and yet in times of war and conflict they are seen as victims, and too often excluded from formal peace-building processes. The laureates know the importance of women peacebuilders, and the challenges they face firsthand. At NWI they work together to use the platform and access that the Nobel Peace Prize offers to elevate the voices and support the work of women peace activists around the world.

We, Nobel Peace Prize laureates of Nobel Women’s Initiative, stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and with the women whose leadership, resilience, and courage are sustaining communities and shaping the path toward justice.

Statement by Nobel women’s initiative laureates to the people of Ukraine

Ukraine and Georgia’s struggle against russian aggression stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit — its capacity to withstand dictatorship and the “informational darkness” of authoritarian regimes. This was emphasised by Ia Meurmishvili, Editor-in-Chief of Independence Avenue Media, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”“Russia is not merely darkness. Russia is evil. And darkness descends when evil prevails. We must ensure that Russia does not win. Most importantly, the human spirit is indomitable: just look at Ukraine, a profound example of this, or Georgia, where protests for freedom of choice have endured for hundreds of days,” she said.Meurmishvili stressed that authoritarian regimes thrive in environments where an information vacuum exists and facts are absent. According to her, dictatorships invest vast resources in spreading their own narratives, using “darkness” as a space devoid of truth.“The battle between light and darkness is not confined to the front lines in Ukraine. It also runs through the information space. When people have access to facts and truth, they make choices very different from those expected by authoritarian leaders. We must continue to fight for this space by ensuring people have access to facts,” the journalist noted.Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. This year’s Forum is taking place on 23-24 April.

Ukraine and Georgia’s struggle against russian aggression stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit — its capacity to withstand dictatorship and the “informational darkness” of authoritarian regimes. This was emphasised by Ia Meurmishvili, Editor-in-Chief of Independence Avenue Media, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”

“We must ensure russia does not win” — Ia Meurmishvili

Ukraine must be granted full membership in the European Union and receive clear security guarantees from NATO. Victory over Russia is a key condition for stability on the European continent. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda (2015–2025) stated this in his speech at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme "Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?"He began his speech by recalling his visit to Kyiv on February 23, 2022, with the President of Lithuania, calling it a symbolic moment on the eve of the full-scale invasion. As the former president emphasized, this visit was not merely a gesture, but a commitment. "It was a promise that Poland, Lithuania, and the entire democratic world would stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine."Duda emphasized that Poland has fulfilled this commitment by opening its borders to millions of Ukrainians, becoming a key logistics hub for aid, and transferring its own weapons and military equipment to Ukraine. "We did this because we understood: Ukraine’s security is Poland’s security, and Poland’s security is the security of the entire transatlantic community," he stated.The former president stressed that the main task now is to continue supporting Ukraine in the war while also thinking about the future. "We must answer the question that will define the next decade right now: How can we help Ukraine rebuild what has been destroyed and become a sovereign, independent, modern European state?" he noted.Duda also emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s European integration. "Ukraine belongs to the European Union. For now, at least, it belongs spiritually, but its full membership is not a matter of charity. It is a matter of justice and strategic necessity," he stated.Duda also stressed that Ukraine must receive clear and reliable security guarantees. "Ukraine deserves clear and convincing security guarantees from NATO, along with a clear path to full membership, if that is the sovereign will of the Ukrainian people."He emphasized that the war must end with a just peace that restores Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Duda also stressed the importance of holding Russia accountable and called for tougher sanctions to limit its military capabilities and energy revenues as much as possible.He emphasized that Russian energy projects, particularly Nord Stream, must be dismantled completely, as they create dependency and undermine Europe’s security.Regarding post-war reconstruction, Duda said Ukrainians should primarily carry it out. According to him, frozen Russian assets should be the main source of funding for reconstruction.In conclusion, Duda urged the international community not to succumb to "war fatigue". "There is no room for war fatigue. The free world will never get tired. We will support Ukraine until victory," he declared.He emphasized that Ukraine’s victory would be a victory for the entire democratic world and guarantee security in Europe, stating, "Ukraine’s victory will be a victory for the free world".Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. &nbsp;This year it is held on April 23-24.

Duda: Ukraine’s security is Poland’s security and that of the entire transatlantic community

Western democracies are undergoing one of their deepest crises in recent decades, raising the risk that the global order could shift toward a more authoritarian and clannish model. This was stated by Brian Whitmore, non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”According to him, the current moment is not merely a geopolitical confrontation between states, but a deeper transformation within democratic systems themselves.“The United States is increasingly exhibiting traits we tend to associate with Russia — corruption, oligarchic structures, and clannishness. This speaks to the depth of the crisis and its systemic nature,” Whitmore noted.The analyst argued that current global developments are being driven by a struggle between liberal democracy and kleptocratic authoritarianism—what he describes as “state-level gangsterism.”In his view, this new global competition points toward a world governed more by the rule of might than by the rule of law. “We are drifting toward a model in which the strong do as they please, and the weak are forced to comply. This could become a new international order built on spheres of influence,” he emphasised.Whitmore also highlighted internal shifts within Western nations which bespeak the onset of a “new Cold War”. Unlike the 20th century, this confrontation is unfolding not only between states but within societies themselves.He cited political turbulence in the United States, Georgia, and France as examples, pointing to a rise in populism and intensifying struggles to control state institutions.The expert also warned that russian influence today extends far beyond traditional election interference. “It is not merely about political processes—it is an assault on the citizens' mindsets, the shaping of narratives, and the very perception of reality,” he noted.According to Whitmore, the world is currently in a period of transition, the direction of which remains uncertain. He emphasised that the outcome will depend on the ability of democratic societies to adapt and defend their core values.“Open Ukraine” is an international foundation established in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk to strengthen Ukraine’s international standing. Each year, it organises the Kyiv Security Forum – Ukraine’s leading international platform for discussing war and peace – as well as the Youth Kyiv Security Forum, aimed at fostering a new generation of Ukrainian leaders.

“The world faces a new form of global confrontation” – Brian Whitmore

The main problem in Ukraine's fight against disinformation is the lack of a clear legal definition of the term itself. This prevents the state from responding promptly to the threat. Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”"The main problem in Ukraine right now is the lack of clear legislation that would simplify the definition of disinformation and how it manifests in the media or information space, enabling the state to act more promptly," Kovalenko emphasized.He added that there is ongoing communication with members of parliament on this issue. "A specific law is needed," stressed the Head of the NSDC’s Center for Countering Disinformation.&nbsp;According to Kovalenko, there should also be a legally prescribed algorithm for countering extremism since the main threat today is the recruitment of people through Telegram channels for carrying out sabotage.Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. This year it is held on April 23-24.

Head of the NSDC’s Center for Countering Disinformation: The lack of a legal definition of disinformation hinders effective countermeasures

The rapid development of artificial intelligence worldwide will lead to disinformation videos becoming so realistic that there will be no tools to verify them, posing a threat to electoral processes globally. Igor Rozkladai, Deputy Director of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law in Ukraine, made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme "Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?""I think we will have videos that are so well made that there will be no tools to prove they are fake. And any elections will be under threat. This is already happening, we see the case of Romania, we see attempts at investigations in Moldova… And frankly, elections will be the first and most frequent target of disinformation," he said.Rozkladai also noted that in Ukraine, mobilization is a key target of disinformation. "This is also a threat. Zelenskyy has now also come under attack. I can see many videos targeting the president," he added. In addition, according to the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law representative, another important issue in this context is antisemitism. "There are already many videos claiming that we have a ‘Jewish government’ or a government trying to rob Ukraine," he noted.At the same time, Rozkladai emphasized that there is no clear and straightforward solution to this problem. "Yes, we need to fight this phenomenon. But we also need to think about how to educate people," he added.In the expert's opinion, technologies will continue to evolve and the quality of such content will improve, but a "digital dictatorship" will not be a sustainable solution, as it does not work in the long term. "When there is no regulation, everyone can do whatever they want. And Telegram is a very good example," he added.Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. This year it is held on April 23-24.

Director of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law warns of global election threats due to rapid AI development

The paramount challenge in combating disinformation is the precarious balance between countering false narratives and upholding freedom of speech. This was stated by Roman Goncharenko, Eastern Europe Editor at Deutsche Welle, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”“My concern is that we are confronted with an “elephant”, yet we do not know what it looks like. We are only seeing part of the problem,” Goncharenko said, referring to the global threat posed by disinformation.According to him, older generations often find it difficult to distinguish authentic content from AI-generated media, which can be weaponised for propaganda. ‘”While we can implement awareness-raising programmes in schools and educate young people about the various facets of this issue, we still lack clear solutions for addressing older audiences,” he added.The Deutsche Welle Editor also revealed that russia had attempted to interfere in Germany’s Bundestag elections last year. “There was a rather extensive campaign involving so-called shadow websites and websites that mimicked German media such as Der Spiegel, to disseminate fabricated information,” Goncharenko explained.“In my view, the problem is that we cannot truly quantify the impact of disinformation”, he added. &nbsp;As the editor pointed out, while the existence of disinformation is undeniable, measuring its actual effect remains difficult — whether it significantly shapes public opinion or has less influence than often assumed.“The greatest challenge for me as a journalist is finding the balance between combating disinformation and preserving freedom of the press and freedom of speech,” he emphasised.Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. This year’s Forum is taking place on 23-24 April.

“Measuring the Impact of Disinformation Remains a Challenge” –  Deutsche Welle Editor

Before russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine had come close to entering the next stage of eliminating the consequences of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster. However, the war has significantly slowed this process and created new risks. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme "Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?" According to him, over more than 35 years since the catastrophe, Ukraine, together with international partners, has completed a significant portion of the work, including the construction of a new safe confinement over the destroyed reactor. "Ukraine was ready to move to the next stage: dismantling the remaining structures and fully cleaning up the Chornobyl site. Technical solutions and infrastructure for this had already been prepared," Semerak noted.However, russian aggression has not only stopped these plans but also created new threats. In particular, damage to protective structures requires additional funding, estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. "The full-scale war has set us back decades. Today, the level of danger has increased again, and some processes have lost controllability," he emphasized.The former minister also stressed that the situation with nuclear safety in Ukraine has a global dimension, particularly due to the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, attacks on energy infrastructure, and the limited capacity for international oversight.In his opinion, the world must strengthen monitoring and response mechanisms, as the current security system remains insufficiently effective in the face of modern challenges.Open Ukraine is an international foundation established by Arseniy Yatsenyuk in July 2007 to strengthen Ukraine's authority in the world. The foundation organizes the Kyiv Security Forum every year. This leading international discussion platform focuses on issues of war and peace. The foundation also organizes the Youth Kyiv Security Forum to develop a new generation of Ukrainian leaders. &nbsp;

War has delayed the next phase of Chornobyl disaster cleanup – Semerak

Russia is preparing for a potential escalation of the war, but Ukraine’s effective resistance makes success unlikely. General David Petraeus, former Commander of U.S. Central Command (2008–2010), Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2011–2012), and member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum, made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”&nbsp;According to him, Ukrainian Armed Forces and intelligence services are highly effective, holding back the enemy at the front and striking critical Russian infrastructure."The Russians are losing more people than they can mobilize. Ukrainian forces are increasingly effectively striking deep behind enemy lines, particularly at oil refining infrastructure, which is having serious consequences for Russia,” Petraeus noted.He also believes that a full mobilization in Russia is unlikely due to the domestic political risks it would pose to the Kremlin. "Russia is paying an extremely high price for every centimeter of Ukrainian land, and this cannot continue for long," the General emphasized.Petraeus also highlighted Ukraine’s technological advantage, particularly in the field of drones and autonomous systems. "Ukraine produces millions of drones a year, and this is a game-changer. In the future, autonomous systems will enable these capabilities to be scaled up, regardless of limitations in human resources,” he noted.According to the General, the combination of military effectiveness, international support, and economic pressure on Russia creates the conditions for a positive turn of events. “There is light ahead. Ukrainian resolve and resilience, together with the support of partners, will prevent Russia from achieving its goals,” Petraeus concluded.Open Ukraine is an international foundation established by Arseniy Yatsenyuk in July 2007 to strengthen Ukraine's authority in the world. The foundation organizes the Kyiv Security Forum every year. This leading international discussion platform focuses on issues of war and peace. The foundation also organizes the Youth Kyiv Security Forum to develop a new generation of Ukrainian leaders.

David Petraeus: Russia will not be able to expand its offensive; Ukraine holds a strategic advantage