News

Video of the 11th Kyiv Security Forum (13.04.2018)

Video of the 11th Kyiv Security Forum (13.04.2018)

The Kremlin has not changed its position – Russia is only prepared to negotiate if Ukraine surrenders. This was stated by Danylo Lubkivsky, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WP8XfgYkOI">on Suspilne</a>.“The Kremlin has not budged an inch from its position. They are saying as clearly as possible, both to Ukrainians and to the whole world: we are ready for negotiations if you capitulate. Full stop,” the diplomat emphasised.Lubkivsky described all discussions about phone calls and contacts between the parties as “empty words”. “The main question is what will be discussed, what the essence of the negotiations is. On the eve of 9 May, Ushakov mentioned the possibility of Russia withdrawing from the negotiations, taking advantage of the situation in the Middle East. Russia is playing for different audiences, including its own. But the aims and objectives of the Russian dictator and the war criminals surrounding him have not changed,” noted the member of the KSF Security Council.Apart from that, he commented on the shift in Putin’s rhetoric regarding Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the parade. “The situation surrounding the parade is the ultimate humiliation for the Russian dictator, who began very loudly and menacingly, but ended up asking Ukraine not to shell Red Square so that they could hold the parade. This is a humiliating, pathetic trajectory, which is exactly what Putin deserves,” emphasised Lubkivsky.According to him, the shift in rhetoric is “a subconscious reflection of the feat achieved by Ukrainians, who stood up to and repelled the Moscow horde and continue to hold back the aggressor.” However, the diplomat cautioned: this is merely the outward, superficial aspect of the situation. “The enemy remains extremely dangerous,” Lubkivsky concluded.

The Kremlin has not changed its position – Russia is only prepared to negotiate if Ukraine surrenders. This was stated by Danylo Lubkivsky, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and member of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum, on Suspilne.

Lubkivsky: The Kremlin’s demand remains the same – surrender, and then we’ll talk

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgK0H7zK4Ps?si=AdVTegDsoGX6A7-Y" 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>Ukraine cannot relinquish its territories and cannot capitulate. The only chance to save the world from chaos lies in helping Ukraine to prevail. This was emphasised by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during an interview on the Polish television channel TVP World.Yatsenyuk described the negotiations with Russia as “sham”. “To conclude any peace agreement, we need truly honest and reliable peace talks with Russia. What is happening now has nothing to do with genuine peace talks. I said over a year ago: the Russians are playing a dirty game in the style of the KGB,” he noted.In his view, Putin is pursuing three objectives: to drag things out, to avoid secondary sanctions, and to show the world, and in particular the Global South, that Russia is supposedly seeking peace. “War criminal Putin wants Ukraine to capitulate. There is no real chance that Ukraine will be able to achieve a just peace through talks with Russia. But we can achieve peace by putting pressure on Russia,” emphasised the KSF Chairman. Yatsenyuk rejected the possibility of any concessions to the aggressor, drawing a parallel with the run-up to the Second World War, “when the West tried to appease Hitler with concessions – ceding territories and easing sanctions”.“One cannot uphold international law by appeasing the aggressor and effectively violating that very same international law […] A policy of appeasement always leads to a new war. Full stop,” he stressed.The Chairman of the KSF put forward three arguments against territorial concessions: this contradicts international law, the Constitution of Ukraine, and most importantly – Putin seeks not concessions, but the seizure of the whole of Ukraine. “He wants to ‘undermine’ the European Union. And, together with his friends and allies, such as China, North Korea, Iran and other pariah states, to establish a new world order. And in this global chaos, there is no place for a leader of the free world, such as the United States, and no place for the foundation of the free world, which is the EU,” Yatsenyuk noted.“The only chance to save this mad world is to help Ukraine win the war. And we have the tools to do so. We are a very, very strong nation. And what is needed? We need the political courage of our allies,” concluded the KSF Chairman.

Ukraine cannot relinquish its territories and cannot capitulate. The only chance to save the world from chaos lies in helping Ukraine to prevail. This was emphasised by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during an interview on the Polish television channel TVP World.

Yatsenyuk: A policy of appeasement towards the aggressor always leads to a new war

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, head of the Kyiv Security Forum and former Prime Minister of Ukraine, stated in an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/28/putin-will-try-to-recruit-any-envoy-sent-to-talks-ukraines-former-pm-says">interview with Euronews</a> in Brussels that the Kremlin is not interested in genuine peace talks, and that Russia will use any negotiation process to stall for time, pressure the West, and strengthen its own position.Commenting on discussions within the European Union regarding a potential representative for direct contacts with Moscow, Yatsenyuk emphasised that Vladimir Putin views diplomacy as a tool for influence and manipulation.“Please, do not underestimate this war criminal. He is no fool. He is a KGB agent,” Yatsenyuk stated.According to him, the Russian president assesses every interlocutor through the prism of strength and weakness. “He always senses whether you are weak or strong. That’s why he tests every person he meets,” the former prime minister said.He believes that the Kremlin agrees to diplomatic contacts only when it allows them to buy time or weaken Western unity. “Putin is neither seeking nor ready for any negotiations at this stage. If he does agree to a negotiator, it will be for one reason only— to outmanoeuvre us, buy time, and make life difficult for us,” he noted.According to Yatsenyuk, the issue is not about the specific name of a potential EU representative, but about Europe’s ability to demonstrate strength and political unity.“The only language Putin understands is the language of strength and power,” he emphasised.The former prime minister also stated that the Russian president is not ready to accept any compromises today. “Putin is not ready to accept anyone. But he is ready to accept the capitulation of Ukraine, and in fact, of Europe. And we must realise this,” Yatsenyuk said.He linked the escalation of Russian threats against EU and NATO countries to Moscow’s setbacks on the front lines and internal problems within the Russian economy.“Putin is losing the war. He expected to capture Ukraine back in 2014. Then he launched a full-scale war and was convinced he would capture Kyiv in three days,” Yatsenyuk recalled.According to him, the Kremlin is increasingly trying to intimidate European societies to weaken support for Ukraine. “Russia poses a huge threat to the security of the European Union. They want to intimidate the people of the EU and force Europeans to turn their backs on Ukrainians.”Separately, Yatsenyuk drew attention to China’s role, calling Beijing a strategic partner of Moscow and an accomplice to Russian aggression. “China has provided the lifeblood for Putin’s Russia — both financially and through the supply of dual-use materials,” he stated.At the same time, the KSF Chairman suggested that it is precisely China’s influence that could potentially create the conditions for genuine negotiations in the future.He also criticised the West’s previous diplomatic attempts to reach an agreement with the Kremlin, stating that Moscow had used them for manipulation and attempts to divide the unity of Ukraine’s allies.In conclusion, Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that Europe’s security directly depends on the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine: “Europeans must realize: you can only be safe in one case — if we, Ukrainians, win this war.”

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, head of the Kyiv Security Forum and former Prime Minister of Ukraine, stated in an interview with Euronews in Brussels that the Kremlin is not interested in genuine peace talks, and that Russia will use any negotiation process to stall for time, pressure the West, and strengthen its own position.

Putin Is Not Ready for Peace and Is Looking for Weak Negotiators, – Yatsenyuk for Euronews

<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/01000000_0aff_0242_2886_08dc87e8080b_w1080_h608_5a27044b36.avif" alt="01000000-0aff-0242-2886-08dc87e8080b_w1080_h608.avif">Admiral Sir&nbsp;Antony David&nbsp;Radakin – Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2025 and one of Europe’s leading military strategists – has joined the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum.Prior to that, he served as First Sea Lord. From 2016 to 2018, Radakin was Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces.This April, Admiral Radakin participated in the 18th Kyiv Security Forum. During his speech, he<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf.openukraine.org/categories/news/rosiya-vvyazalasya-v-shalenu-vijnu-cim-neobhidno-skoristatisya-admiral-toni-radakin">&nbsp;emphasised</a> that Ukraine is effectively containing a threat to the entire continent.<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/radakin_e3ad18e807.jfif" alt="радакін.jfif" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_radakin_e3ad18e807.jfif 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_radakin_e3ad18e807.jfif 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_radakin_e3ad18e807.jfif 750w," sizes="100vw" width="750px">“We should be proud of what Ukraine is doing for all of Europe,” the admiral stated.<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf.openukraine.org/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.Among the Council’s members are&nbsp;General David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command from 2008 to 2010 and director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency from 2011 to 2012;&nbsp;Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2021 to 2025;&nbsp;Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015;&nbsp;Taavi Rõivas, Prime Minister of Estonia from 2014 to 2016;&nbsp;Natalie Yaresko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, Minister of Finance of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016;&nbsp;Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014.For reference.<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf.openukraine.org/">Kyiv Security Forum</a> (KSF) – Ukraine’s leading international platform for discussing issues of war, peace, and global security, launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://openukraine.org/">&nbsp;Open Ukraine Foundation</a>.The KSF’s primary mission is to defend Ukraine’s national interests globally. The platform operates on multiple levels simultaneously: it keeps Ukraine at the centre 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 organised thousands of events – annual gatherings, special events, and online discussions. These events are followed by millions of people in Ukraine and abroad.&nbsp;

Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin – Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2025 and one of Europe’s leading military strategists – has joined the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum.

British Admiral Antony David Radakin Joins the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, recently took part in the second meeting of the High-Level Advisory Group, initiated by European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius. The meeting took place in Brussels and was dedicated to discussing the future of European defence.The group was established at the end of last year on a voluntary basis. It comprises former heads of state, government and European institutions who discuss current issues relating to European security and defence.In addition to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the group includes Herman Van Rompuy – President of the European Council from 2009 to 2014; José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014; Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991 to 1994 and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2014; Enrico Letta – Prime Minister of Italy from 2013 to 2014, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and author of the EU Report on the Future of the Single Market; Mikuláš Dzurinda – Prime Minister of Slovakia from 1998 to 2006, President of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies; Hans-Gert Pöttering – President of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009; Natalia Gavrilița – Prime Minister of Moldova from 2021 to 2023, as well as other prominent European politicians and statesmen.Issues of direct relevance to Ukraine’s future were brought up for discussion: the creation of a European Defence Union, as well as the prospects for Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the European Union.Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that the security of Europe and the security of Ukraine are inseparable. Ukraine has already become one of the key elements of European security thanks to its combat experience, defence technologies, military-industrial complex, and the people who defend our shared values of freedom every day. That is precisely why the European Defence Union can only become a truly effective force with Ukraine’s participation. This is also a further compelling argument in favour of its membership of the European Union.The reasoning behind this framework is based on Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, which provides for mutual assistance among Member States in the event of armed aggression. At the same time, the European Defence Union is not viewed as an alternative to NATO or Ukraine’s membership of the Alliance. This is an additional practical mechanism for strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities and fully involving Ukraine in shaping the continent’s new security architecture.Regarding Ukraine’s European integration path, Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s position remains unequivocal: the ultimate goal is full membership of the European Union. Ukraine expects the first negotiation cluster to open as early as June. At the same time, alongside the proposals by German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the expansion of Ukraine’s forms of participation in the EU’s work, it is necessary to work actively to ensure the maximum possible level of Ukraine’s influence on the European decision-making process even before full membership is achieved.“We must enter the room where decisions are made while the political landscape of the European Union allows it,” emphasised the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum.Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s position was well received both by European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius himself – one of the main advocates of the creation of a European Defence Union involving Ukraine and its accession to the EU – and by other participants in the discussion.In an interview with the Financial Times, he called on the governments of European states to urgently provide Ukraine with all necessary weaponry from existing arsenals, whilst simultaneously expanding the production capacity of the defence industry. In his view, €60 billion from the recently approved credit facility intended for Ukraine's defence needs could be used for such procurements. In the future, these funds could help replenish the stocks of EU member states and expand arms production.At the same time, Kubilius emphasised the need to review the European model of defence production. He called for a move away from an approach he described as ‘high fashion’ – one that is overly complex, expensive and cannot be scaled up quickly. Instead, Europe should draw on Ukraine’s experience in creating effective, relatively inexpensive systems that can be produced rapidly in large quantities.According to the European Commissioner, strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities is particularly important right now, at a time when calls for the resumption of negotiations with Russia are growing ever louder. Kubilius stressed that the only formula capable of bringing about a just and lasting peace is peace through strength. And that strength must be on Ukraine’s side, and Europe is capable of helping to ensure it.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, recently took part in the second meeting of the High-Level Advisory Group, initiated by European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius. The meeting took place in Brussels and was dedicated to discussing the future of European defence.

There is no alternative to NATO and EU membership, but every opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s voice in Europe must be seized

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOARzTjB2J0?si=uX4RjhGlZfo3S6Va" 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>A strike on Russian targets more than a thousand kilometres from the border sends a military, psychological and economic message to Putin, his inner circle and the Russian people. This was emphasised by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOARzTjB2J0">on the BBC,</a> when answering a question about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and a Russian warship in Kronstadt, where one of the bases of the Russian Baltic Fleet is located.‘First, this is a clear military signal that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are capable of striking various Russian targets, particularly those located far from the Ukrainian-Russian border. That is about 1,000 kilometres,’ Yatsenyuk noted.He also highlighted the psychological dimension. “Russians who support the war criminal Putin, and those who support the war against Ukraine, must realise: the war has spilled over onto their territory. And they must feel the burden and impact of this war for themselves,” he emphasised.The Chairman of the KSF also touched upon the economic aspect. He recalled that Ukraine had imposed “far-reaching sanctions” on Russian oil facilities. “This deprives Russia of huge oil revenues. But, on the other hand, due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran, the Russians have received an unexpected profit of around 60 billion a year, linked to the rapid rise in oil prices,” he noted.Yatsenyuk concluded: the strikes send a clear signal to Putin, his entourage and the Russian people – Ukraine will never surrender. “Russia’s war against Ukraine is not going according to Putin’s plan. Ukrainians are fighting fiercely,” emphasised the KSF Chairman.

A strike on Russian targets more than a thousand kilometres from the border sends a military, psychological and economic message to Putin, his inner circle and the Russian people. This was emphasised by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, on the BBC, when answering a question about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and a Russian warship in Kronstadt, where one of the bases of the Russian Baltic Fleet is located.

Russians must realise that the war has spread to their territory, – Yatsenyuk

Ukraine should seize the opportunity for “associated” membership, as proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This was stated by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016), Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in an interview with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.euractiv.com/news/interview-ukraine-should-accept-associate-membership-ex-pm-says/">Euractiv</a>.“I view Merz’s letter as an opportunity. That is my perspective,” Yatsenyuk emphasised. In his view, the German proposal provides an excellent basis for future negotiations, given the unstable political situation in several EU countries, particularly with French President Emmanuel Macron stepping down next year.“The German coalition is not the strongest in the world, and various events are unfolding in Bulgaria and other member states,” he added.“We need to seize this opportunity right now and act as quickly as possible to achieve everything that is possible […] I think the EU could offer Ukraine some sort of accession agreement under an accelerated procedure,” Yatsenyuk emphasised.The Chairman of the KSF also expressed concern regarding the stance of Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, on Ukraine’s future in the EU. He compared Magyar to Viktor Orbán, who had previously vetoed Ukraine’s EU membership.“He [Mágyar] is not Putin’s puppet, but it seems that if the current Hungarian Prime Minister plays the same tune as his predecessor, nothing good will come of it,” Yatsenyuk noted.

Ukraine should seize the opportunity for “associated” membership, as proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This was stated by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014–2016), Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in an interview with Euractiv.

Yatsenyuk in an interview with Euractiv: Ukraine should seize the opportunity for ‘associated’ EU membership, as proposed by Merz

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="110%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3Ro1E4EJsw?si=gPKxCWGOqSW9r3o8" 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 G7 summit, which took place this week, demonstrated the unity of the world’s leading democracies – this is not at all what Putin and Xi had expected. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a new event format of the Kyiv Security Forum—“<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAcfvueSUE">Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike</a>.”“Many expected a rift among the world’s leading democracies. But they remain united and share a common position,” he noted.“I see no signs that Putin is truly ready for any substantive negotiations. Putin’s signal was quite clear: he is ready to receive President Zelenskyy in Moscow, which means he is ready to discuss Ukraine’s surrender. He continues to play the same primitive game he has been playing for at least four years,” Yatsenyuk said.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.05.00 (1).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>At the same time, he emphasized that after the G7 summit, everything will depend on tangible actions, and he acknowledged Europe’s support. “Europe has provided Ukraine with a large-scale aid package worth 90 billion euros, of which 60 billion is being allocated to support programs and arms supplies; it is imposing new sanctions against the aggressor; and it has been able to offset the reduction in U.S. aid,” the former prime minister noted.Whether this can change Putin’s calculations will depend on a number of factors, Yatsenyuk added. He also drew attention to the shift in focus by the U.S. administration. “The Ukrainian matter is once again taking center stage in the U.S. political establishment. More than 70% of American voters continue to support Ukraine, and this directly benefits Ukraine and the entire free world.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45 (2).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum expressed hope that the U.S. administration would take more decisive action in supporting Ukraine – “not only through statements and political declarations, but also through tangible decisions and practical assistance, which Ukraine needs today.”The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike,” with the participation of the KSF Chairman, Arseniy Yatsenyuk (Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016); KSF Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014); German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms; and French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière.

The G7 summit, which took place this week, demonstrated the unity of the world’s leading democracies – this is not at all what Putin and Xi had expected. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a new event format of the Kyiv Security Forum—“Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”

“Many expected a rift among the world’s leading democracies. But they remain united and share a common position,” he noted.

Yatsenyuk: The G7 summit dashed Putin and Xi’s hopes of a rift among democracies

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Almost all military aid to Ukraine currently comes from the EU and other European countries—about 99% of the total. This was emphasized by German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new event format, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ro1E4EJsw">“Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”</a>“We either provide Ukraine with financial assistance so that your Armed Forces can become stronger, or we supply European defense equipment. And in those areas where we lack the necessary capabilities, we procure them for you,” he noted.Thoms stressed that Europe is significantly ramping up its own defense efforts; Germany alone, for instance, is tripling its defense budget between 2022 and 2030.“The European Union may sometimes seem a bit slow, but what we have already achieved to date is truly impressive. For 2026-2027 alone, we have approved 60 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine. We have defense industry programs, the European Defense Fund, the SAFE defense loan program, and the European Peace Fund – a powerful tool for strengthening European defense and providing assistance to others,” the ambassador added.Apart from that, the diplomat commented on Russia’s strike on the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. “Just a few days before the attack, I visited Lavra during a tour and was in the very spot that was later hit. It is absolutely clear to me that this was a targeted strike. It was a deliberate attack on Ukrainian identity, sovereignty, and independence,” Thoms stated.He emphasized that Ukraine currently holds a technological advantage on the battlefield. “Ukraine is very successfully holding the front line, while also achieving significant successes in what we call strikes against the enemy’s rear facilities. Russian logistics routes are coming under increasingly effective strikes,” the ambassador emphasized.The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike,” with the participation of Kyiv Security Forum Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016; Kyiv Security Forum Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky, who served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms; and French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière.

Almost all military aid to Ukraine currently comes from the EU and other European countries—about 99% of the total. This was emphasized by German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new event format, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”

German Ambassador: 99% of military aid to Ukraine is currently coming from Europe

<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45 (1).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">Europe must take responsibility for its own security as decisively as possible, as the American presence on the continent is not set to increase. This was stated by Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Ukraine, during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new format event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ro1E4EJsw">‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’.</a>“The current trend is that the American presence in Europe – to put it diplomatically – will not increase, and that we must take the situation into our own hands as decisively as possible, both at national level and within the EU and NATO. Our American friends are telling us that we must do more, and, to be frank, they are right,” he noted.Veyssière emphasised that defence has become one of the EU’s key priorities. “I remember how, ten years ago, the issue of defence was not discussed at all, whereas now it is one of the EU’s key areas of activity. We have managed to set up excellent programmes – EDIP, SAFE – with substantial financial resources, aimed both at enabling EU Member States to increase their military and defence capabilities and at bringing direct benefits to Ukraine. And I believe we should continue to move in this direction,” the ambassador emphasised.The diplomat also spoke highly of the outcomes of the G7 summit. “The crisis in the Middle East has now been resolved. It is now time to refocus our attention on another extremely important matter – Ukraine. This summit took place at just the right moment and has indeed yielded tangible results,” Veyssière noted.The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’, with the participation of the Kyiv Security Forum’s Chair, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016; Kyiv Security Forum Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky, who served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; the German Ambassador to Ukraine, Heiko Thoms; and the French Ambassador to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssière.

Europe must take responsibility for its own security as decisively as possible, as the American presence on the continent is not set to increase. This was stated by Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Ukraine, during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new format event, ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’.