Speeches

Letter to Mr. Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, and the leaders of the NATO Member StatesDear Mr. Secretary General,We are honored to address you on behalf of Ukrainian youth gathered at the 10th Kyiv Youth Security Forum organized by the Open Ukraine Foundation. At this crucial time for our country and the Euro-Atlantic community, we would like to express our deep determination that Ukraine’s future lies in NATO, and our nation is eager to bring new energy, ideas, and commitment to the Alliance.Following years of Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine has gained unique experience and expertise in defense, innovative approaches, and modern strategies that can strengthen NATO. Our developments in unmanned technologies, military strategy, and tactical innovations have repeatedly proven their effectiveness on the battlefield. This experience could contribute to the common security of all Alliance, strengthening collective defense and ensuring stability in the region and the world.Ukraine’s membership in NATO will also send a strong signal to international investors about security guarantees and stability in our country. This can contribute to a significant increase in foreign direct investment, which will support our economy and strengthen European stability. Ukraine can become a reliable partner that is ready to contribute to the joint production and technological potential of the Alliance.History proves that Ukraine has a legitimate claim to NATO membership within internationally recognized borders. There is a precedent when East Germany joined the Alliance as a full member after unification with the Federal Republic of Germany. Ukraine aspires to integrate with NATO as an equal partner, adding strength and new opportunities to our joint Alliance.Ukrainian youth have made a decisive choice: we see our future within NATO as a future defined by freedom, security, and unity. We have chosen the path of freedom, security, and democratic values, and we are committed to join NATO’s collective security not only to protect our borders, but also to maintain peace and stability in the world. We believe that NATO, as a defender of democratic principles, is the best platform for us to uphold and promote these values.Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration and our shared goal of building a secure and stable future together with NATO.Participants of the 10th Kyiv Youth Security Forum &nbsp;

"Ukrainian youth have made a decisive choice: we see our future within NATO".

The youth urges NATO to grant Ukraine membership in the Alliance

On SecurityBy Danylo Lubkivsky,Director of the Kyiv Security ForumUkrainian Catholic University, 3 February 2023Dear colleagues,Ladies and Gentlemen,It’s an honor to address your important gathering, co-sponsored by the Ukrainian Catholic University together with the Syracuse University and the University of Bialystok.I was invited to speak about the major elements of our security discourse. Let me share some thoughts from the Ukrainian perspective.As we approach the first anniversary of full-scale Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is crucial for our common understanding to start with the notion that Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has been waged for almost nine years already.The war began on the 20th of February, 2014 with the Russian troops occupying Crimea and - sometime later - swaths of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.The 24th of February, 2022 was an evil day of a massive attack on Ukraine – the very escalation moment that Moscow had been approaching for many years...In early March 2014, I embraced the position of Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister in the Government appointed after the victory of the Revolution of Dignity.I remember very well all emotions of those times. The victory of the Revolution of Dignity was achieved through unprecedented sacrifices. Having risen against Yanukovych and his regime at that time it was hardly possible for Ukraine to fully comprehend what it was up against: not just a gang of traitors, corruptionists, and criminals, but the Russian military machine.Ukraine had not yet mourned all its heroes when it received the first military blow and met with encroachment upon our statehood. Having recovered after the first shock, our Cabinet led by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk started devising an urgent backlash response. It was difficult to evaluate the full measure of threats and dangers. Many of our partners could not just believe the reality of war and the mortal danger faced by Ukraine.However, we all knew very well that we had to act dartingly and there was no time to spare.Moreover, any prospect of appeasement or compromises with Moscow – a common practice for the post-Soviet vassal authorities - on issues of our sovereignty and security, political, economic, energy independence, and the Euro-Atlantic choice was not acceptable either.Ukraine found itself robbed and disarmed by Yanukovych.So the first steps were aimed at political and financial stabilization and ensuring military resistance. From the very early days, Ukrainian diplomacy initiated emergency consultations with our partners, primarily the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum.We started to form a wide international coalition. This is the way the Geneva talks with Russia - the first international format to deter the aggressor - were launched by the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine. Later - for some reason which is still not very clear and convincing to me - this format was changed into the Normandy talks with Germany and France instead of the United States and the European Union.Jointly with our American and European partners, we managed to summon the United Nations to approve the first resolution in support of Ukraine. One hundred Member States voted in favor of this historic General Assembly motion on the 27th of March, 2014.The war started, and the whole world gradually discovered new crushing international realities. I would like to single out two observations from my own personal experience back in 2014-16.First. Any crime of aggression requires an immediate and massive international response. In such situations, every international delay, disguised as political prudence, inevitably leads to much greater upheavals and numerous casualties.Second. Clarity of assessment is omni-important: if a state commits aggression, it should be plainly called an aggressor. One should not pander to the aggressor, the latter should not be called a “mediator”, and definitely no “family photos” with the aggressor. Even in case the aggressor possesses nuclear weapons or cheap gas and oil.To understand how to act today and tomorrow, it is necessary to plunge into the genesis of the Russian aggression and the circumstances that have turned the war into a reality.Nine years of Russia’s war against Ukraine is a political and international legal fact. A year of full-scale invasion is the escalation peak of Russia’s war of aggression.Prior to aggression, though, there were years of ramping up lethal jeopardy not solely for Ukraine or the West, but for the entire world order and civilized international rules and principles.Cynical words of Putin and his henchman Lavrov, who is no less responsible for the war crimes, serve as a telling illustration of this in-depth Russian disdain for international law. These two repeat the following in unison, time and again: “You speak about a rules-based world order? We refuse to recognize these rules.”What events preceded Russia’s war against Ukraine? It was the silent tolerance of the increasingly aggressive rhetoric of the Russian political elite about their imperialistic ambitions.It was Putin’s blatant regret about the collapse of the Soviet Union.It was Russia’s war against Georgia and the occupation of its lands.It was Russia’s economic and energy blackmail against neighbors and the West.It was Russia’s political corruption in Europe and palm-greasing with energy resources.It was the Kremlin’s constant interference in the internal affairs of the vast majority of our countries, including the United States.In fact, it was undeclared, but the practical and manifest occupation of Belarus and systematic intimidation of all states in the region.It was a long time ago since Russia diverted from the peace track.It was for a long time that Russia nurtured its aggressive plans, that the world turned the blind eye to this.Russia’s aggression is rooted not just in the actions of a certain criminal and militarist group which seized powers in the country. Certainly not. Open opinion polls that have been held in Russia over many years, including by the Levada sociology research center, clearly testify to the vast popular support of Russian dominance and chauvinism.The opinion polls registered, inter alia, the fact that the core voters group (pensioners, former military and special forces servicemen, public employees, and social benefit recipients) is, in fact, the major customer of political sentiment in Russia.The said core voters group comprises over 50 million people (this is well beyond the general population number in Ukraine).The major sentiment of this group is resentment.The major intention of this group (conscious or not) is to recoup.These are the people who mourn the Soviet Union.These are the people, for various reasons, who want to rekindle the imperial feelings despite their own poverty and destitution.These are the people who are a collective Putin.They have ordered the aggression.On the 24th of February, 2022 my wife and I decided to stay in Kyiv. Like thousands of other volunteers, I joined local self-defense. I did not take to arms, but I did what my brothers-in-arms deemed necessary: like many other colleagues of mine, I communicated with the world, our partners, and informed them of the state of affairs in Kyiv and beyond, and called on them to take a pro-active approach.I take pride in the fact that the Kyiv Security Forum did not leave our capital for a single day.Why did the Ukrainians take up arms to resist?Because in their hearts and minds, the Ukrainians have already defeated Russian imperialism.It was exactly a fortnight before the full-scale invasion that I shared the following ideas with the international audience in my article “Why Putin has already lost (in) Ukraine?”:“Ukrainians have rejected the “Russian idea” – the revisionist concept that Putin tries to impose on his neighbors… The Kremlin may consider ridiculous plans to install a pro-Russian puppet in Ukraine. But these plans will fail. Putin and his narrow circle do not understand modern Ukraine. We want to be independent, and we want to be part of Europe, not a pawn of Putin”.I take pride in the colossal counterpunch inflicted on the aggressors by Ukraine.Still, there is yet another reason for pride and optimism.Ukraine is grateful to the world, to our allies and partners, and to all people who stand in solidarity with us all over the planet, for their unprecedented support, assistance, and joint efforts.Never before in our entire history that Ukraine had such powerful and massive support as today.I perceive a great human truth in this support.This adds to our faith that we are capable of not only defeating the Russian aggressor but of converting the opportunity to create a safe and just world order.Putin made a blunder.He considered Ukraine weak.He believed the United States and Europe would not dare stand up to him.He considered unity among allies as impossible.Struck blind, he overestimated his armed forces.Being a cynic, he has faith in neither sanctity nor freedom or values.In fact, he rejects international values the same way he rejects the very fact of the Ukrainian nation’s existence.Ironically, everything that Putin has denied will inevitably bury him and destroy his empire.In order to win, though, we have to remind ourselves that we must possess clarity of vision to evaluate things and events, and not procrastinate.This is Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine.This is the ideological war of aggression to destroy the Ukrainian people, their identity, statehood, culture, and language.This is not only the war waged by Putin and his henchmen.This is the war waged by the Russian political mentality, culture, and attitude to life, human rights, and freedoms of other peoples.Not for a single minute should we forget about this defining trait of all Russian deeds in the territory of Ukraine.It is not only Putin who kills us. We are killed by everyone accepting or tolerating this sinister right to atrocity.Calm and sober awareness of this diagnosis allows anyone to construct the correct response protocol.This is a protracted war and, unfortunately, it will last for a long.There should be no illusions of a quick victory.At the same time, there is no reason to despair or feel sick at heart. Staying aware of the time span, we are capable to plan our potential and forces.Already now it is necessary to lay the foundations of the prospective vision for international relations to be formed in the 21st century after the victory over Russian imperialism.I wish to share the following major priorities with your professional audience.&nbsp;First. To defeat Russian aggression, posing a direct threat to the entire international order, it is vital to continue and ramp up all possible political, economic, and military efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s potential to overcome the invaders and liberate our temporarily occupied territories. All our territories without any exception.Second. While supporting Ukraine, it is necessary to steadily put into practice anything that weakens the aggressor and limits its military, economic and international potential. Sanctions and isolation are by no means exhausted, and ought to be further tightened. This policy must be constantly refined, including through the prevention of any “loopholes” or “gaps” for circumventing sanctions.Third. President Zelensky’s peace proposals, set out in his well-known plan, should be taken responsibly. As you are aware, the President of Ukraine, when addressing the leaders of the G-20 and the entire international community, expressed considerations of a complex and systemic nature.This is more than peace solely for Ukraine.The mentioned provisions include such goals as the restoration of the UN Charter and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of the Russian troops and de-occupation, nuclear safety, food, energy, and ecology security. However, the above list should include, to my opinion, another item of utmost importance.In my opinion, it stands above all. So, the fourth point of my reasoning is Ukraine’s membership in NATO as a decisive move toward the long-lasting peace and stability in our part of Europe. This step has no alternative.Fifth. Punishing Russia’s war crimes is an issue well beyond any political plan and, therefore, is of specific strategic importance.The entire development of international relations depends on the modality of restoring justice for Ukraine by the international community and punishing the war criminals. We must not only quickly and competently agree on the legal nature of the International Tribunal on Russia’s war crimes but also ensure that the punishment is irreversible and has no time limits.Sixth. We must speak most unambiguously about the mortal danger of Russian imperialism to the world order.We do not know what future awaits Russia. In my opinion, though, we cannot turn the blind eye to the militant character of its political nature. Russia and its design must be subjected to changes, and this is a crucial issue for international relations of the 21st century. Eliminating Russia’s potential to commit military or any other type of aggression against the world is a crystal-clear and unconditional task for the international community.Seventh. Russia’s war against Ukraine posed many challenges to humankind.Forward-looking change and fine-tuning of international means to prevent, counteract and punish the crime of aggression should be seen as a priority task of fundamental importance.It is precisely for this reason that the reform of the UN Security Council, the elimination of the “veto” right, and, ultimately, the removal of Russian imperialists from their illegal position in the UN Security Council seat should finally take place.&nbsp;Comprehending and bearing our responsibility, we should tackle the historical demand to shape our today’s vision of global mechanisms of peace, security, and justice.Not long ago, an important question was asked at the Kyiv Security Forum, whether the world could live without Russia.In my opinion, the world, without a second thought, can live and thrive without Russian imperialism. What the world cannot live without are truth, justice, and the victory of Ukraine, as well as our joint victory over militant evil.I believe in our victory and wish you fruitful work.Thank you.&nbsp;

On Security: Address By Danylo Lubkivsky, Director of the Kyiv Security Forum. Ukrainian Catholic University, 3 February 2023

Danylo LUBKIVSKY

Ukraine must receive all necessary weaponry to protect itself against the Russian aggression.These are the words of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandra MATVIICHUK at the Honorary Lecture of the Kyiv Security Forum celebrating the National Union of Ukraine day.“I do understand people who read newspaper headlines saying that the Nobel Peace Laureate is calling on to give battle tanks to Ukraine, but the values of modern civilization must be protected,” she stressed.Ms MATVIICHUK told the audience that after the start of the Russian aggression Ukraine has met with an unprecedented number of war crimes.“These war crimes include shooting down people moving along evacuation corridors, filtration camps system organized by russia, deliberate destruction of residential buildings, churches, schools, hospitals, cases of murder, rape, torture, kidnapping civilians in the occupied territories,” she said.“We register and document human suffering so that sooner or later putin and the top political leadership of russia, the top military command, as well as all russians committing such crimes, be punished,” the human rights activist emphasized.Oleksandra MATVIICHUK mentioned that putin started the war against Ukraine because democracy approached the russian borders, rather than because of some imaginable military threat.“putin fears ideas of freedom, not the NATO”, - she said.Ms MATVIICHUK also emphasized that the victory of Ukraine should mean not only liberation of temporarily occupied territories but conducting democratic transformation of this country.“To win this war and turn into russia makes no sense whatever”, - she underlined.“We pay now a price too high for the chance to build the country where rights of each and every one are protected, where authorities remain accountable and monitored, where judges are independent and unbiased, and where police do not beat up students gathering for a peace rally”, - Oleksandra MATVIICHUK concluded.The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy YATSENYUK’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Oleksandra MATVIICHUK

Nobel Peace Prize laureate calls on to provide Ukraine with all necessary weaponry: Values ought to be protected

"Ukraine has shown to the entire world that even russia, this large crazy bear, can fall", – Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated lecture for the students of Durham Society.&nbsp;

Arseniy YATSENYUK

Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s lecture for the students of Durham Society

The West should apply tougher sanctions against russia and provide Ukraine with longer-range and more powerful weapons.These were the words by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Council (USA) Frederick Kempe in a video message at the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“Nowadays is a decisive moment for not only Ukraine, but for the liberal world as such,” he said.“NATO member countries have every opportunity to assist Ukraine in protecting the rules-based and law-based world order,” Kempe emphasized.He noted that the Atlantic Council constantly advocates strong military support for Ukraine.“We cannot afford to do little for Ukraine,” said Frederic Kempe.“We must not allow putin any opportunity to save face. We must support Ukraine in every possible way to persevere after this aggression. And the sooner we understand this, the more effective and tough sanctions we apply and supply Ukraine with more long-range and powerful weapons. This will assist us achieving a just peace,” he summarized.

President of the Atlantic Council: “We cannot afford to do little for Ukraine”

Ukraine’s success on the battlefield, combined with the effect of economic sanctions against russia, could bring the war to the end.This is what the CIA Director in 2011-12, General David Petraeus, said during the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.”Naturally, this war will not end soon, unless the russian troops are completely defeated,” he said.“In the end, Ukraine will continue to liberate its territories and at some point the combination of the situation on the battlefield and economic sanctions and export controls will convince the majority in russia that this war cannot drag on,” David Petraeus emphasized.The General noted that in such a case russia will have to withdraw its troops, as it has already lost more people in 9 months than in 10 years of its war in Afghanistan.

David PETRAEUS

The ex-CIA Director mentioned the conditions to end the war

The war in Ukraine has massive and far-reaching consequences for the global nuclear order.This was emphasized by a Harvard University researcher, nuclear policy expert Maryana Budzheryn at the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“The Russian-Ukrainian war is a battle between David and Goliath,” she said.“It is very difficult not to be inspired with the bravery and ingenuity of the Ukrainian army and people,” Budzheryn stressed.The expert noted that this war demonstrated that “nuclear weapons may be inessential if a small country can defeat a nuclear power.”At the same time, she emphasized that the NATO and the US take the kremlin’s nuclear threats seriously.“That is why it was stressed that the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine would have catastrophic repercussions for Russia,” said Maryana Budzherin.

Maryana Budzheryn: Ukraine has already demonstrated that it is possible to defeat a country with nuclear weapons

Russian dictator vladimir putin and adolf hitler have many things in common.This was stated by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, during the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“putin and hitler are Siamese twins. Only putin was born a little later,” he said.“These are people with so much in common. A person taking a decision to bomb the civilian population, victimize it, kill children – and there are hundreds of children who died because of this war – just because someone there in the Kremlin wanted something,” said Oleksiy Danilov.He emphasized that Ukraine has nothing to do with Russia.“We have nothing to do with you. You are Muscovy. You are thieves who keep stealing someone’s story. You constantly demand something, but you are unworthy of anyone in the world talking to you,’ said the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.Danilov also noted that any negotiations with Russia are possible only after it leaves the territory of Ukraine, pays all compensations and is deprived of its nuclear weapons.

Oleksiy DANILOV

Oleksiy Danilov: Putin and Hitler are Siamese twins

The US and all democratic countries across the world continue their support to Ukraine, as this is investment into their own security.This was the message by Celeste Wallander, Assistant US Secretary of Defense at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ON07fMECPGo?start=27392" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>She noted that since 2022 the global coalition directed 88 billion dollars to provide weaponry and training to Ukrainian Army, develop defense industry, and form joint defence systems.Celeste Wallander also added that under the leadership of the US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin a special contact team with 50 countries participating at the defence minister level to support Ukraine was established.“I am just back from the 20th Ramstein meeting of March 19. We develop a more comprehensive approach to ensure long-term needs of Ukraine. We have now formed 8 coalitions: air defences, maritime security, armored vehicles, demining, drones/UAVs, and more”, - Ms. Wallander stated.“We are interested in Ukraine having its Armed Forces compatible and inter-operable with the NATO standards. On the path to the NATO Washington Summit this July, our cooperation and engagement with Ukraine get deeper still, - she added.“Ukraine’s future is with the NATO. The Washington Summit will take steps to form a credible bridge for Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO,” - Assistant US Secretary of Defense summed up.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The US and all democratic countries across the world continue their support to Ukraine, as this is investment into their own security.

Assistant US Secretary of Defense affirmed supporting Ukraine 

&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ON07fMECPGo?start=23401" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Special Address to the Kyiv Security Forum&nbsp; Ben Cardin,&nbsp; United States Senator (D-MD), Chair of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 22, 2024Hi! I’m Senator Ben Cardin, the Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Kyiv Security Forum comes at a critical time for Ukraine and the entire free world.Russia’s aggression in Ukraine endangers democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Putin’s attack not only threatens Ukraine. It constitutes a threat to the European Union, to our NATO Allies, and the national security interests of the United States.That’s because Putin’s attack to erase the nation of Ukraine is only one step in his push to restore the Soviet, the Russian Empire. &nbsp; &nbsp;I want to commend the people and Military of Ukraine for your incredible courage and determination in this battle against Russia. Not only is it critical that we support you in this war today. We must also support Ukraine in the future, both by helping your country rebuild from the ashes of this war and by ensuring long-term and enduring peace across Europe.That means standing by you every step the way until you are members of NATO and the European Union.The progress we have already seen in reforms is immense. A great feat especially while fighting the war. And we will work with you until you have achieved every requirement necessary to secure Ukraine’s future, so that your children never again face an invasion from an imperialistic neighbor.I want to recognize the Biden Administration for their efforts in Ukraine. They saw the writing on the wall early, and warned the world of Putin’s plans. They gave policymakers form Kyiv to Washington critical time to prepare.And the Biden Administration has also pulled out all the stops to try and keep democratic nations united against Russia’s aggression.Of course, the United States Congress also must play the role. I was pleased that not long ago the Repo Act passed out by our Senate foreign Relations Committee by a vote of 20 to 1, confiscating central bank assets of a foreign country with which we are not at war, would be a first for the United States.But while this is incredibly consequential by-partisan legislation that targets frozen Russian assets, the supplemental funding request is even more important. &nbsp;The vote to advance the supplemental funding was one of my most important votes I ever cast in all my years in office.I am proud that we in the Senate passed this legislation on a bi-partisan basis.Now it’s the time for members in the House of Representatives to get it over the finish line.This money is critical in helping get Ukrainians the weapons and ammunition they need to fight back against Putin.So as you gather and commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union know that for me and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we care deeply about the fate of Ukraine.We support your trajectory towards an independent European nation. We support your fight for victory over Russia’s aggression.We believe that a secure, prosperous and democratically governed Ukraine is the only path forward.So, thank you for attending the Forum today.I wish you a productive discussion. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Putin’s attempt to raze the nation of Ukraine is only one step in his push to restore the empire.