How can European countries strengthen their resilience against Russian aggression, and what lessons can NATO allies draw from Ukraine’s experience?
These questions were at the heart of a panel discussion at Forum 2000 in Prague, organised by the Prague Civil Society Centre in cooperation with the European Values Center for Security Policy.
The discussion focused on civilian preparedness as an essential component of deterrence and defence. Ukraine’s experience has demonstrated how much a country’s ability to withstand aggression depends on the resilience of its society, the readiness of local communities, and their capacity to adapt under extraordinary circumstances.
Olena Davlikanova, Senior Fellow at Sahaidachnyi Security Center, emphasised the need for European countries to overcome their fear of Russia and take more decisive action against its growing aggression.
“We need to stop being afraid of Russia. This fear of Russian invasion or other aggressive actions paralyses decision-making,” she argued.
Olena Davlikanova also warned about Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid warfare across Europe, including sabotage, drone incursions, and other hostile activities. She stressed that European governments must communicate more openly with their citizens about these threats, invest in societal preparedness, and respond decisively to Russian aggression.
Other speakers, including Markus Lux, Vice President of the Special Division Ukraine at Robert Bosch Stiftung, also highlighted how Ukrainian society continues to adapt and build for the future despite the ongoing war.
The discussion highlighted an important lesson for NATO countries: civilian resilience needs to be an integral part of national defence planning. Ukraine’s experience shows how prepared communities, functioning institutions, and the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats can strengthen a country’s overall defence capabilities.
We sincerely thank the Prague Civil Society Centre for organising this important discussion and for its continued support of our work. We are also grateful to the European Values Center for Security Policy for its cooperation in bringing these issues to an international audience.
