Lesia Ogryzko, Director of the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, participated in the international conference “What Kind of Peace? Ukraine and Us,” organized by the Center for Liberal Modernity in Berlin on October 16, 2024. The panel, which explored the future of peace for Ukraine amidst ongoing discussions of negotiations, included distinguished speakers such as:
- Agnieszka Brugger, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairwoman of the Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group
- Roderich Kiesewetter, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU), and Member of the German Delegation at the Interparliamentary Conference for Common Foreign and Security Policy
- H.E. John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine
- H.E. Jan Tombiński, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland in Germany
- Moderated by Marieluise Beck, Center for Liberal Modernity
During the panel, Lesia Ogryzko emphasized that russia’s war against Ukraine extends far beyond the borders of Ukraine itself. She argued that the outcome of this war will shape the next international order, determining the principles and values upon which it will be built. “We should never forget that the rules of the game are always written by the winners, not the losers of wars. Conceding to russia would send a dangerous signal that the West is willing to allow the revision of international law and human rights as the foundation of the current international system”.
Lesia Ogryzko also highlighted a critical gap in Western policy: the lack of a coherent strategy for Ukraine. “The reason why the West does not have a Ukraine strategy is that it has no for russia”.
She noted that the Western discussions often revolves around the least likely scenario for russia’s future—democracy—while more realistic options such as disintegration, actual federalization, or the independence of oppressed ethnic groups and within russia remain taboo. “The biggest challenge is that this reluctance leaves the West preferring a bad status quo over a change of the status quo is russia. In other words – if you are afraid of russia losing which might trigger some dramatic internal processes – of course you will supply too litlle and too late”.
In this context, Lesia Ogryzko’s remarks emphasized the critical need for a more strategic and unified approach to supporting Ukraine, coupled with a resolute stance towards russia without hesitation or fear.
