Copenhagen, Denmark | 10–14 May 2026

The ICUV team participated in the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, one of the key international forums dedicated to defending democracy and countering authoritarian regimes. The Summit traditionally brings together political leaders, representatives of business, media, civil society, and pro-democracy advocates from around the world to forge new solutions for safeguarding democratic values and international security.

Key topics on this year’s agenda include:

• The future of European security;
• Enhancing defense cooperation across Europe;
• Challenges originating from authoritarian regimes;
• Developments regarding Iran;
• Repercussions for European policymaking;
• The role of Ukraine in establishing a new European security architecture.

On the margins of the Summit, ICUV handed over its brief “Stronger Europe, United Front—Europe’s Security Is Being Decided in Ukraine” to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, founder of the Alliance of Democracies and former NATO Secretary General. The brief, co-authored by Ukrainian servicemen and ICUV experts, makes a direct case: Ukraine has become a global laboratory of modern warfare, and no partner army or defence industry can fully understand these dynamics by observing from the outside. Supporting Ukraine’s victory is not assistance to a partner under attack—it is a direct investment in Europe’s own preparedness. Read the brief: Stronger Europe, United Front.

Alongside the public programme, the ICUV delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with international partners and took part in a closed-door session on the future of European security. The most significant shift in Copenhagen was not on the agenda—it was in the room.

During the summit, it was particularly clear that Ukraine is no longer viewed merely as a country requiring support. Ukraine is an integral and equal part of European security—a nation that already possesses practical experience and answers to key questions surrounding defense, resilience, and countering modern threats.

“My feeling is that Ukraine is now perceived as a full-fledged and completely indispensable participant in this discussion. Not as a constant recipient of aid, but as a country that has answers to questions of security, defense, and resilience. As a key, as an answer to the question.” — Vlada Dumenko, Head of Communications at ICUV.

Ukraine’s experience with war, protecting critical infrastructure, developing defense technology, and mobilizing society is increasingly cited as an example for other democratic nations. Numerous discussions underscored that European security must become stronger and more self-reliant—specifically through joint defense manufacturing, investment in military technology, and coordinated security policy among European states. For Ukraine, this means deeper partnership and active collaboration on Europe’s future security system.

Our key objective today is to build a shared European security framework. And Ukraine is already playing a pivotal role in this process.

Our thanks to the Alliance of Democracies for the partnership and the platform, to the Nordic Ukraine Advocacy Summit team for a successful side event, and to every speaker who brought Ukraine’s experience into the centre of the global democratic agenda.

Europe’s security is being decided in Ukraine. In Copenhagen, that stopped being a slogan and started being a working assumption.