As part of the annual Carpathian Sea Democracy Week, the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, in cooperation with the European Council on Foreign Relations, hosted a panel discussion titled “The Future of European Security: Are Coalitions of the Willing the Answer?”. This forum brought together Ukrainian and European leaders to strengthen partnerships, seek solutions, and jointly foster the resilience of democratic societies.
The panel addressed key security challenges facing Europe, more than three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In a world where diplomatic declarations no longer suffice, the necessity for coordinated, tangible action has never been more urgent.
Lesia Ogryzko, Director of the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, spoke about the collapse of the previous European security architecture, noting that a new framework has yet to emerge. “What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that Ukraine will be a cornerstone of the new order. Ukraine is now being viewed as a country capable of effectively countering Russia”.
Certain countries, particularly those bordering Russia, have begun to question the credibility of NATO’s Article 5. “In the event of a Russian attack on another European state, that country may well prefer to have a security agreement with Ukraine instead of ‘consultations’, foreseen by NATO’s Article 5. The time has come to shape a new European defense alliance – one built on a coalition of the willing”.
Other speakers included:
- Lesia Orobets, Director, NGO Price of Freedom. Overview of the main defence challenges facing the EU, Europe, and Ukraine.
- Yuriy Buhai, Head of Analytics, Reforms Support Office, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Focus: Preparing defence sectors for the future.
- Ole Kvåle, Freedom Convoys. Focus: Volunteering and civil society engagement. He also talked about NB8 countries during wartime.
The session was moderated by Gabriele Valodskaite, Wider Europe Programme Coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations.