This year, the ICUV team continues its advocacy efforts on key international platforms and once again visited Prague to take part in the GLOBSEC 2025 forum, where we hosted the side event “Making Europe more secure: Lessons from Ukraine.”

Together with our partners from Price of Freedom, we brought together over 50 participants, including government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians, journalists, and civil society representatives. Key topics included the “Sky Shield” initiative over Ukraine, the use of frozen Russian assets to finance the defense of Ukraine and Europe, joint manufacturing initiatives, and enhanced cooperation in defense technologies.

The voice of Ukraine was powerfully represented by our experts — Olena Halushka, Lesia Orobets, and Iryna Krasnoshtan.

Our speakers emphasized that Ukraine’s victory is the only path to a just peace, and that Russia must be held accountable for its crimes.

The event was moderated by distinguished expert on European and international security, Benjamin Tallis. Among the international speakers were:

• Jan Marian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Czechia
• Klaus Korhonen, a Finnish diplomat
• Hélène Conway-Mouret, Vice President of the French Senate
• Charles Grant, Director of the Center for European Reforms
• Constance Le Grip, Deputy of the National Assembly of France

Together with our international partners, we discussed the key lessons Europe must learn from the war in Ukraine to become stronger and more secure.

The focus was on the fact that Ukraine is not just a buffer zone buying time for the West to rearm, but a true shield of European security. Its armed forces, among the most capable and experienced in Europe, are holding back Russian aggression and protecting peace in the region. The recent successful Ukrainian special operation against Russian strategic aviation was also highlighted as an example of the effectiveness and determination of Ukraine’s forces.

Europe must move from words to action. In this struggle, it should learn from Ukraine’s unique military, political, and strategic experience.

We thank GLOBSEC for the cooperation and the opportunity to hold this event. We are proud that the voice of Ukrainian civil society was heard. Our team will continue working so that Europe not only supports Ukraine but also learns from us how to defend freedom, values, and the future.