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The "Open Ukraine" Foundation invites you to join us at the 7th Youth Kyiv Security Forum, which will begin on the 21st of February in Kyiv.For those who don’t have the opportunity to attend the event, we will be broadcasting a livestream directly from the venue.You can access the live-stream on the "Open Ukraine" website.Start time: 12:00. February 21st.The Youth Kyiv Security Forum is a platform for young experts to discuss relevant issues regarding international relations and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The goal of the forum is to strengthen the role of a new generation of experts and improve their ability to participate in the process of political analysis and development. Forum organizer - Open Ukraine Foundation.

Livestream of the 7th Youth Kyiv Security Forum

The most recent G7 Summit and Summit on Peace for Ukraine, as well as the Berlin Conference on Reconstruction for Ukraine have clearly demonstrated that international partners stand with Ukraine and remain ready to support it further fighting against russia.This was the message by Martin Harris, the Ambassador of the UK to Ukraine at the special event held by the KSF established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.According to the diplomat, russia’s war in Ukraine, that has in fact began a decade ago, may drag on for quite some time.“And I believe that putin has just one sole chance, and this is fatigue of partners of Ukraine. And the three conferences we held have clearly demonstrated just one thing: we are not fatigued, we stand with Ukraine. Now and forever”, - Martin Harris stresses.HE Ambassador also emphasized that solidarity of such magnitude is manifest by three key factors.The first one is the fact that G7 member states, as well as other countries, have concluded security agreements with Ukraine for a ten-year perspective each.“The second one is the decision to use frozen Russian assets. &nbsp;This is just the first step, and confiscation of all assets should ensue. This first step is very pragmatic, and very useful as well. Through this windfall tax on such assets we can issue loans worth 50 billion USD to Ukraine. This means, that russia is paying for Ukraine’s defences”, - the diplomat stressed.According to Martin Harris, the third testimony of such solidarity of international partners with Ukraine includes new sanctions against russian companies, in particular, the ones that work for the russian military-industrial complex: “This is already tough on the russian economy, and the future will be even tougher”.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The most recent G7 Summit and Summit on Peace for Ukraine, as well as the Berlin Conference on Reconstruction for Ukraine have clearly demonstrated that international partners stand with Ukraine and remain ready to support it further fighting against russia.

UK Ambassador on using frozen russian assets: russia will pay for Ukraine’s defences 

The idea of inviting russia to negotiations table is a misleading one. This can only happen provided “putin’s russia” is completely defeated.This was emphasized by Nicolas Tenzer, Chairman of the Center for Studies and Research on Political Decision (CERAP) at the special event held by the KSF established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.“I saw the final Communique of the Summit on Peace and I believe the idea to invite russia for negotiations right now is a misleading one. Every time we speak about peace now, we give floor to a lot of russian narrative that we still witness in some European capitals. The idea that we need to make concessions to russia, that we need to strike a deal – this is very misleading”, - Nicolas Tenzer stressed.According to Mr.Tenzer, the Western states must refrain from using the phrase “peace negotiations”, at least for now. &nbsp;He emphasized that the West should concentrate on providing Ukraine with all its needs to “defeat russia, fully and completely”.“Today, it is perhaps too early to hold peace summits. Instead, we should hold a war summit, because, first, we need to win this war. This should be our common goal, and we need to give Ukraine all it needs to reach this goal, to win this war”, - Mr. Tenzer argued.He also mentioned his recent visit to Ukraine and his communication with Ukrainians. He believes that all this process must speed up.“Naturally, Ukraine alone could not have thrown russian army from its territory. We are not talking solely about withstanding russian army, we are talking about making Ukraine win, so that this effort is brought to fruition”, - he added.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

The idea of inviting russia to negotiations table is a misleading one. This can only happen provided “putin’s russia” is completely defeated.

russia may be invited to negotiations solely after its defeat, - Nicolas Tenzer 

Berlin Conference on Reconstruction, G7 Summit and Summit on Peace for Ukraine, - these three events have clearly demonstrated our unity, - this was the message voiced by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014-2016, at the special event of the KSF with G7 Ambassadors to Ukraine on June 19.The Conference on Reconstruction, held in Berlin, according to the KSF Chairman, became an event akin to economic Ramstein, “with discussions centered on how to protect Ukraine, and how to assist Ukraine, first and foremost, militarily, by supplying anti-missile defences”.Summit on Peace, Mr. Yatsenyuk emphasized, “has demonstrated unity of all our allies, and Ukraine re-emerged on the front pages of major global media”.The third event, that the KSF is dedicated to, is the G7 Summit. Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that the G7 “has made it crystal clear to putin that no one was going to let go his arrested assets”.An important decision was made to direct $50 billion of windfall tax (revenues from the frozen Russian assets) to Ukraine.“The G7 said to putin: we stand ready to keep your money under lock and key for dozens of years. It takes at least 10 years to accumulate 50 billion. We shall not step back from Ukraine, we shall support Ukraine not only for as long as we can, but for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win”, - he emphasized.The fourth event of importance is the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., said the KSF Chairman.Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded the audience that from its very inception back in 2007, the Kyiv Security Forum repeatedly voiced its key motto – Ukraine must become the NATO member: “I can only repeat this message again today. There is no other alternative for a secure and free Ukraine but to become the NATO member state”.“We understand full well all current issues, including the ones among NATO allies. Still, we remain certain that the Western world unity should also be demonstrated by taking correct decisions. In the modern world, moving from one challenge to another, we find ourselves too far, alas, from a comprehensive peace, the one that we all attained after the end of the World War Two”, - Mr. Yatsenyuk said.&nbsp;

Berlin Conference on Reconstruction, G7 Summit and Summit on Peace for Ukraine, - these three events have clearly demonstrated our unity.

Western unity lies in taking correct decisions in the modern world filled with challenges, - Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the KSF special event

In this war of attrition that russia wages against Ukraine, it is of utmost importance that the G7 countries support Ukrainian economy.This was the message by Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, at the special event held by the KSF, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.“Strikes against energy infrastructure aim to incur economic destabilization to Ukraine. And our support to Ukraine must mean our support of Ukrainian economy, its stabilization and its growth. The more we integrate Ukrainian economy into Europe, Canada and others, the stronger it will be”, - Ambassador said.“Naturally, there is a lot of work ahead of us, but if we start with international unity, this is the right starting point to isolate russia and its allies”, - she stressed.Ambassador Cmoc also emphasized that the G7 and other partners consider territorial integrity of Ukraine and russian troops leaving Ukrainian territory the key conditions for negotiations with russia.“It is important that we perceive unity not only within the G7 member states, but that this unity expands beyond. The more states share the vision of united conditions to start negotiation conversations, the stronger this position becomes”, - Ambassador argued.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

In this war of attrition that russia wages against Ukraine, it is of utmost importance that the G7 countries support Ukrainian economy.

The West will support Ukrainian economy as this is an important element in the war of attrition, - Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine 

Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe having practical experience of joining the EU, and it stands ready to act as a hub for Ukraine in its accession process.This was emphasized by Pawel Kowal, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of Poland at the special event of the KSF, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation. &nbsp;“Poland is, perhaps, one of the largest countries in Europe having its practical experience of joining the EU within the European Union enlargement policy framework. Poland enjoys its own interests for further EU enlargement. We are ready for negotiations, and we want to speed up such negotiations without signing any additional agreements or introducing any new rules within the context of enlargement”, - Mr. Kowal stated.He also mentioned that there were around one hundred representatives, not solely Polish officials, but mayors, municipality heads, businesses, bankers, etc, participating in the International Conference on Reconstruction of Ukraine, held last week in Berlin. All of them convened to demonstrate Polish potential and capacities and share Polish experience of joining the EU.Pawel Kowal stressed the importance of commencing negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.“Reconstruction is of a key importance here. It is not only about restoring roads, bridges, etc, it is about reconstruction in the widest sense of the word. This is also the issue of getting ready – and Poland is quite an expert in this. We suggest that we act as a certain hub for Ukraine”, - Mr. Kowal emphasized.He also mentioned that despite certain historical and political contradictions, Ukraine and Poland ought to be more pragmatic in building their partnership relations.“We must be more pragmatic in these relations, considering all historical and cultural nuances of such relationships. We must stop putin, and we stand ready to act proactively here, as was the case to adopt the additional support package for Ukraine. Both Poles and Ukrainians must find a much-needed synergy: it is either this, or we forever remain discussing historical and other events, like blockade of the border crossing points back in February”, - Pawel Kowal emphasized.“We must start writing a new chapter based on a more pragmatic approach. We shall benefit from such historic opportunities for Poland so that to ensure a new member state in NATO and the EU – Ukraine”, - Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of Poland summed up.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe having practical experience of joining the EU, and it stands ready to act as a hub for Ukraine in its accession process.

Poland is interested in the EU enlargement and Ukraine’s membership, - Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of Poland

To attain the EU membership, Ukraine must explore a difficult path to a successful fruition of this goal.This conviction was voiced by Jaroslaw Timofiejuk, Chargé d’affaires a.i., EU Delegation to Ukraine at the special event held by the KSF, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation. &nbsp;Mr. Timofiejuk gave his positive evaluation of the start by Ukraine its negotiation process on the EU membership.“The principal decision on negotiations was already taken by the European Council, the rest are just technicalities. But still, the devil is often in technicalities. I am very glad that we have overcome this obstacle, and the first inter-government conference will take place next week in Luxemburg. This is an important step, it is the beginning of a long and difficult process”, - the diplomat mentioned.Mr. Timofiejuk explained that the EU enlargement process is in the hands of its member-states, and so, “at each step, any decision necessitates a consensus”.“Enlargement is based on merits of each individual country wishing to join in. From our side, we shall do everything we can to assist Ukraine”, - he added.Jaroslaw Timofiejuk also mentioned that this autumn the European Commission will publish its regular report on Ukraine executing all its reforms necessary to gain the EU membership.The diplomat recollected the difficult process of Poland’s accession, but the outcome was a successful one despite certain earlier scepticism.“EU membership awaits Ukraine as well, but the process will be a difficult one”, - he summed up.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

To attain the EU membership, Ukraine must explore a difficult path to a successful fruition of this goal.

Ukraine will become the EU member, but it will be a long and difficult process, - EU representative 

American people continue supporting Ukraine, and this support remains unwavering despite election results in the USA in November 2024.This was the message of William B.Taylor, US Ambassador to Ukraine 2006-2009, Vice-President of the US Institute for Peace at the special event by the KSF, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.He emphasized that “currently the poles are pretty even, it’s fifty-fifty” describing the democrats and the republicans election chances.“President Biden policy on Ukraine is very clear: it’s support for Ukraine. What is less clear is Mr. Trump’s policy. No one is entirely sure of what it is. He himself may not know what his policy is to be”, - William B. Taylor stressed.All the same, according to the US Ambassador, the American Congress, representing the American people, demonstrates an overwhelming bi-partisan support of Ukraine by adopting the respective laws.“The Congress and, more importantly, the American people support and will continue to support Ukraine. They pushed for the Supplemental of USD 61 billion very hard. Whoever is elected in November, the American people support will be reflected in his policy”, - he emphasized.William B. Taylor also commented a recent statement of vladimir putin on conditions for negotiations with Ukraine: “This is a silly statement, pushing on Ukraine to give up its territories to start negotiations. We are not to pay attention to what they say, I’d pay attention to what they do. So, watch what they do, react to what they do, support Ukraine to ensure that Ukraine can win on the battlefield. We should focus on that right now”.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

American people continue supporting Ukraine, and this support remains unwavering despite election results in the USA in November 2024.

US elections won’t change the support of Ukraine by American people, - Ambassador Taylor 

Decisions taken by Western states over the past several months demonstrate impressive progress in aspirations for peace in Ukraine.This idea was voiced by Benjamin Roehrig, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France, at the special event of the KSF, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.He mentioned a number of achievements as signing security agreements with many countries, including France. Similarly, he emphasized new support measures announced by President Macron, including training of soldiers and readiness to provide new fighters, Mirage 2000, to Ukraine.He also shared his positive evaluation of the Summit for Peace in Switzerland.“There is a collective commitment of member states to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine. It was not an easy task to achieve this. But collectively, countries convening in Switzerland, demonstrated their success”, - Benjamin Roehrig stated.The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation is the major platform in this country to discuss matters of war and peace, national and global security. &nbsp;

Decisions taken by Western states over the past several months demonstrate impressive progress in aspirations for peace in Ukraine.

There is a collective commitment of states to ensure a lasting peace for Ukraine, - Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France 

Remarks by Danylo Lubkivsky,Director of the Kyiv Security Forum,&nbsp;at Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council held at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine&nbsp;June 25, 2024Thank you for the opportunity to address Ukraine-NATO Interpaliamentary Council, sponsored by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Today’s gathering is important for Ukraine, especially in the context of the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington.Among other things, it emphasizes one more significant point - the value of a full-fledged parliamentary diplomacy, which plays a fundamental and independent role in any real democracy.Neither military circumstances, political calculations, nor partisan censorship can limit such activities. It’s an important reminder here, at the war-time Ukrainian parliament.Why Russia considers a democratic European Ukraine a threat?This is the subject line suggested for me to deliberate at our meeting. Here in Kyiv, in the capital city of Ukraine, the country that for ten years already remains under a direct military aggression of Russia, I would expand this issue.Why is Russia afraid of democracy in principle?Modern Russia is known as a proxy of statehood with all power and control seized and held, for decades on, by a gang of criminals representing a cross-breed of special security services and mafia formations.Refurbished imperial Russian façade disguises a militant gang of bandits with phenomenal appetites.However, the actual situation is much more complex than the simple fact of power grab by the once criminal gang turning into war criminals.According to the experts, back in 2012 there were 39 million old-age pensioners and 18 million veterans in Russia. These people make up the lion’s share of the core voting power in Russia, directly or indirectly shaping political sentiments in that country. They are also ready to obey the imposed doctrines.Such a colossal mass of people is characterized by limited life opportunities and social dependence, in a word – by misery.The dominant mood of such people includes resentment, revenge-seeking and reinstating Russia’s might the way their morbid imagination suggests.All these people represent the collective Putin.They sought his emergence.They constitute the basis of his regime.Naturally, they are not alone. &nbsp;Over two decades of Putin’s illegal power grab, generations failing to imagine their life without such a ruler and his regime have grown and matured in Russia.It is they who constitute the silent core of a compromise serving the foundation for the current Russian system.It is also worthwhile to recollect the cementing nature of the Russian Orthodox Church that has become one of the Putin’s regime pillars. These so-called clergymen are no less criminal than the regime itself. Their conscious, cynical, and anti-human support of the war against Ukraine cannot fail to impress any sane person. &nbsp;At the same time, Russian opposition has collapsed and found itself not only beyond any political developments, but beyond their own borders.&nbsp; Russia and its society have betrayed their democracy.In the national and democratic sense, Russia is a vivid example of not only a failed state, but also a fake state.The desire to restore its empire and assert its vain pomp is just the flip side of a deep and crippling sense of fear.Russian fear is manifest through its historic inability to assert effective governance of its own lands.This fear means mistrust of and despair in personal agency.It is a total and complete disbelief in a nation’s ability to form an equal and just civil society.For Putin’s regime, a feeling of fear is the chief engine of tactical and strategic plans. Any new atrocity exceeds combined results of the previous ones.It was fear that constituted the Kremlin’s response to a different reality and alternative represented by two Ukrainian revolutions – the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2014.Naturally, Moscow was scared of any prospect of Ukraine offering a brand new and ambitious model of successful development.Another type of fear was manifest here: sickened existential horror of losing control over the Russian state. &nbsp;It is not solely Ukrainian democracy that is perceived by Russia as a threat, but the very fact of Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and freedom, the very fact of our statehood.Russia fears the Ukrainian state, and this is one of the chief reasons for this horrid genocidal war to annihilate our people.Analyzing Putin’s tactics, one should be fully aware of the fact that all his peace declarations serve no other purpose than to cover up a new attack.The very nature of his political regime and historical traditions force Russia to continue its aggression.For that, broadly speaking, Russia’s future is a key global problem of the 21st century.Putin has to be given credit for one thing: the Kremlin remains in possession of the initiative in the war against Ukraine and the West.One must understand that safeguarding Euro-Atlantic security depends on whether the West finally takes up the running.To do so, the mandatory objectives include:First, collective defense for Ukraine and support of its statehood and democracy.Second, Ukraine’s accession to NATO, and this historic move should not be shuffled under any political rug.Ukraine should be invited to become NATO member without delay.Third, inevitable conviction, punishment, and deterrence by international community of the Russian political regime and military crime machine.Here special emphasis should be placed on Russian imperialism which is synonymous to Nazism and Fascism, the arch-villain originating from this part of the world.The sole way of protecting our common freedom and democracy is making Ukraine the NATO member state and putting an end to the Russian imperialism.This is what Russia fears most.And this is what we need to attain together.Danylo Lubkivsky is the director of the Kyiv Security Forum and former Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine.

Remarks by Danylo Lubkivsky, Director of the Kyiv Security Forum, at Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council held at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Why Russia considers a democratic European Ukraine a threat?

Waves of skepticism about Ukraine's war strategy regularly arise in the West, with questions like “what exactly is Kyiv hoping to achieve with additional weapons it asks for?”. Kyiv Security Forum team summarized the published experts' opinions on Ukraine's strategic military goals, and the so far unavailable types of weapons needed to achieve them.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving the war to Russian territory. The KSF has repeatedly elaborated on this, citing, in particular, statements by Ukraine's leaders. Western experts, under pressure from “escalation”-phobic politicians, often narrow this goal to “eliminating the Russia Sanctuary”: the rear area across the Ukrainian border 300-500 kilometers deep into Russia. Regular striking of enemy targets in that area would guarantee a reduction of air and ground attacks on Ukrainian territory.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Strengthening Ukraine's air defense: an important but not the primary goal that President Zelenskyi often mentions (citing, for example, the figure of 7-25 additional Patriot SAM batteries needed). It is necessary to expand the guaranteed air defense zone which currently exists only around Kyiv (particularly against ballistic missiles) as much as possible; to increase the air defense of the army’s forward positions; and to use the “SAMbush” (a unique Ukrainian tactic of air defense ambushes) more often and more widely.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Isolation and neutralization of Crimea as a Russian rear zone. This strategic goal is articulated by both Western experts (most often by the Ret. US General Ben Hodges) and Ukrainian military leaders (such as Kyrylo Budanov). The airfields and bases in Crimea are vital for the entire war: from supporting the frontline in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Regions to air and naval warfare. It is noted that Ukraine has already advanced halfway to the isolation of Crimea: having driven the Russian warships from the peninsula, and regularly destroying Russian air defense there.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A large-scale ground counteroffensive is sometimes mentioned, but mostly as a distant goal of Ukraine: unattainable today or in the near future.The currently-available weapons are necessary but not sufficient to achieve the aforementioned goals. First of all, Ukraine’s Armed Forces already mastered the use of ATACMS and other Western-made missiles; the existing restrictions on using these weapons on Russia should be lifted.Also, experts and Ukraine's leaders often bring up several other types of weapons: both those that have been promised (but not yet delivered) and those whose possible delivery has not been even mentioned by the partners publicly.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F-16 fighter jets and/or the less common Mirage 2000 (French-made) or Tornado (British-German): a versatile platform that would help in both day-to-day defense and achieving the above goals. In particular, air strikes on Crimea are a logical next step after sufficiently weakening Russian air defense on the peninsula (this tactic was used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to liberate Zmiinyi Island).●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Radar airplanes generically known as AEW (aerial early warning systems). Sweden recently promised Ukraine two such aircraft of the ASC 890 model (aka Saab 340 AEW&amp;C / S 100B Argus), but the delivery timeline is still unknown.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Air-launched cruise missiles Taurus KEPD 350 (of German-Swedish manufacture) and JASSM (American-made): for launch from Western or Soviet-made fighter jets. Maximum range of these weapons exceeds the range of ATACMS.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The NATO-standard large cruise missiles, historically used in naval and/or anti-ship roles, but recently expanded to land-launched variants and land-attack purposes. First and foremost, the legendary Cold War-era Tomahawk is brought up, namely its new BGM-109C and Tomahawk MRC modifications. These are weapons of the same class as Russian Kalibr and Iskander-K missiles. Ground-launched Tomahawks can be cheaper and more readily available than ATACMS, which is why, in particular, US ground forces have begun using both systems.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Medium-range air-to-air missiles, primarily the American AIM-120 AMRAAM, which would significantly expand the capabilities of Ukrainian fighter aircraft.None of these weapons are ultra-modern, scarce, particularly expensive, or difficult to integrate into Ukraine's arsenal, so their transfer is proposed as a priority within a year at most.