Ukraine is no longer just a recipient of international assistance but has become a source of experience, innovation, and leadership in the field of security. This was stated by General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”

“Ukraine is at the centre of many global challenges — from nuclear safety to countering disinformation — and acts not only as a recipient of aid but as a source of experience, innovation, and leadership,” he emphasised.

According to Clancy, Ukraine has demonstrated an “exceptional capacity for adaptation, scaling the use of drones, autonomous systems, and commercial technologies, while strengthening digital resilience, military medicine, and logistics.”

He noted that even in the most difficult conditions, an extraordinary spirit of resilience endures in Ukraine: “Ukrainians cannot afford the luxury of fear, they are focused on adapting and delivering solutions.”

According to Clancy, despite the large-scale war, destruction, and losses, Ukraine demonstrates “the light of courage under fire, resilience under pressure, and innovation under constraints.”

He emphasised that both Ukrainian society and the state retain the ability to function and evolve even under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. “We have all seen it: a country predicted to fall in a matter of days has stood for years; an army that has adapted with astounding speed, integrating new technologies in real time; and a society that continues to function, create, and innovate,” the General noted.

Clancy stressed that russia’s war against Ukraine has become a “strategic awakening” for Europe. “The illusion that large-scale war would not return to our continent has been shattered. Security is no longer theoretical – it has become immediate, tangible, and shared,” he said.

The Chairman of the EU Military Committee emphasised that Ukraine’s security is directly linked to the security of all of Europe: “Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. This is not merely an act of solidarity, it is a statement of reality.”

The General also stressed the importance of maintaining unity and long-term support for Ukraine. “Is light ahead? Absolutely. But not by chance or through waiting. It emerges through effort, unity, and commitment,” he highlighted.

Clancy assured that the European Union’s support for Ukraine will remain unwavering: “the European Union will support Ukraine for as long as it takes”.

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.