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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

Transatlantic cooperation remains a cornerstone of European security, and the “America First” concept does not imply that the US is turning its back on its allies. This was stated by Tomas Godliauskas, Lithuania’s Vice Minister of National Defence, at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”According to him, the world is facing a new level of threats as authoritarian states increasingly coordinate their actions. “We see how Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are becoming more aligned and supporting each other, which poses a serious challenge to global security,” he said.In this context, Godliauskas emphasised that the “America First” approach should be understood not as isolationism, but as a redistribution of responsibility among allies. “This does not mean that America will stand alone. It is about allies taking on a greater share of the responsibility,” the Vice Minister believes.He cited Lithuania as an example, highlighting the country’s significant increase in defence spending. “We are spending over 5% of GDP on defence, and we understand that without Europe, the US would not be able to effectively project its power or ensure nuclear deterrence,” he stressed.According to the Lithuanian official, there are currently no signs of a reduction in the American military presence in the region. “Since 2019, US units have been permanently stationed in Lithuania. Training exercises are ongoing, including those involving HIMARS systems, and this cooperation continues to strengthen,” Godliauskas said.“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.

“America First” does not mean isolation” – Godliauskas, Lithuanian Vice Minister of National Defence 

<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/YURI_5558_e158302bb5.JPG" alt="YURI5558.JPG" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_YURI_5558_e158302bb5.JPG 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_YURI_5558_e158302bb5.JPG 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_YURI_5558_e158302bb5.JPG 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_YURI_5558_e158302bb5.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">The 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, themed “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”, showcased innovations from defense companies – leaders in modern technology.Close cooperation between the state and Ukraine’s military-industrial complex is rapidly strengthening military capabilities and saving soldiers' lives and health."We manufacture FPVs, delivery vehicles, repeaters, kamikaze and bomber drones. "In fact, we're creating our own FPV ecosystem," said Dmytro, an engineer at Sky Reaper.At their booth, the company showcased a kamikaze drone with a 10-inch frame, as well as repeaters for controlling the drone from greater distances."All of this is to save soldiers' lives and get them out... We have a kamikaze drone with an interesting control system enabled by LTE connectivity on a 15-inch frame. This allows the operators to sit, so to speak, in Kyiv and practice targeting in Zaporizhzhia,” Dmytro said.He noted that the company's main goal is to manufacture drones entirely in Ukraine and transition away from using Chinese components.<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/1_vistavka_48f98f008b.jfif" alt="1 виставка.jfif" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_1_vistavka_48f98f008b.jfif 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_1_vistavka_48f98f008b.jfif 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_1_vistavka_48f98f008b.jfif 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_1_vistavka_48f98f008b.jfif 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">Polina, a representative from Buntar Aerospace, spoke about the Buntar-3 reconnaissance drone on display at their booth. This drone operates in the most challenging areas on the front lines.“It’s a copter-airplane hybrid; it can take off and land vertically. That means it doesn’t need additional launch pads — you just set it down and it takes off. &nbsp;You may have seen how the defense forces recently struck Donetsk Airport — it was actually this drone that guided the strike. It also has a really cool, high-quality camera,” noted the company representative.<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2_fbce4dd9ef.jfif" alt="2.jfif" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_2_fbce4dd9ef.jfif 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_2_fbce4dd9ef.jfif 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_2_fbce4dd9ef.jfif 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_2_fbce4dd9ef.jfif 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">Dmytro, a representative from TAF Industries, explained that the company’s booth features reconnaissance drones, two types of Shahed fighter drones, and fiber-optic drones. "We have our own developments, such as our own initiation board, a remote control board, and an automatic guidance module, among many other innovations," he added.Since July 2023, TAF Industries has operated in the defense technology market and has been gradually transitioning to Ukrainian components.<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/3_vistavka_ec026470d6.JPG" alt="3 виставка.JPG" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_3_vistavka_ec026470d6.JPG 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_3_vistavka_ec026470d6.JPG 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_3_vistavka_ec026470d6.JPG 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_3_vistavka_ec026470d6.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">Skiftech develops military training technologies, including tactical simulators, which are currently being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the &nbsp;State Border Guard Service and other units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces."At the heart of our system is a personal kit for infantry soldiers... Our equipment can also neutralize drones," said Maxim, a Skiftech representative.He noted that, according to reviews from military personnel trained with the company's equipment, acquiring these skills significantly increased their chances of saving lives during the first few months of combat operations. "By about 30%," he added.<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/4_17e88d3767.JPG" alt="4.JPG" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_4_17e88d3767.JPG 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_4_17e88d3767.JPG 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_4_17e88d3767.JPG 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_4_17e88d3767.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">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.The 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was themed “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”, took place in Kyiv on April 23–24.

Defense innovations that strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities were presented at KSF-2026

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

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founder of The Invictus Games Foundation, published an article on his official website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sussex.com/">Sussex.com</a> following the first day of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), in which he called Ukraine a driving force behind new global standards of resilience.Following his participation in the 18th KSF, he provided a detailed account of his impressions of the event and Ukraine’s role in the modern world. The article, titled "Day One in Kyiv: Honouring Service, Shaping the Future," served as a manifesto of support for the Ukrainian veterans' movement and strategic dialogue in the Ukrainian capital.Duke specifically highlighted the calibre of the Kyiv Security Forum, calling it one of Eastern Europe's most important platforms. For Harry, this event was not merely a political platform, but a place where ‘clarity’ regarding global threats is forged. He emphasised that the discussions at the Forum help the international community avoid becoming paralysed by the realities of war.Prince Harry called Ukraine a “global innovator”. He believes that Ukraine is not only defending itself but also “adapting and innovating in real time”, and that what Ukraine is doing today is not merely resistance but true global leadership.Reflecting on the panel discussion on the reintegration of soldiers in which he took part, Prince Harry emphasised that Ukraine is currently reshaping the global understanding of support for veterans, and that the Ukrainian experience will find its way into textbooks for other nations.In his article, the Duke stressed that the struggle in Ukraine is not isolated – it is a battle for the integrity of democratic systems across the world.The article places particular emphasis on the ‘invisible wounds’ of war. The Duke of Sussex called on the world to build support systems around real human experience, rather than dry political frameworks."War is not only fought on the battlefield. It is fought in the mind," he wrote, calling for long-term psychological support for veterans and their families.Prince Harry concluded that attending the Forum and interacting with Ukrainians provides an answer to the question of whether there is "light ahead." In his view, it is the voices of Ukrainian veterans and their resilience that shape the future the whole world will follow.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation. The 18th Forum, entitled “Darkness or Dawn: Is There Light Ahead?”, took place in Kyiv on 23–24 April.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founder of The Invictus Games Foundation, published an article on his official website Sussex.com following the first day of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), in which he called Ukraine a driving force behind new global standards of resilience.

"This is not just resilience. This is leadership in real time," Prince Harry shared his impressions of his visit to Kyiv on his official website

<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.