Victor Pinchuk Foundation held discussion “Where is the War Going?” during the YES Special Gathering in Kyiv “Three Years — Time to Win”

On 24 February 2025, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy (YES) held a discussion “Where is the War Going?” on the occasion of the YES Special Gathering in Kyiv “Three Years — Time to Win” dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Politicians and experts discussed strategies for securing Ukraine in a changing world.

Among the participants of the discussion were Troels Lund Poulsen, Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark; Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of Defense of Lithuania; Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2019-2022); Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine; Jade McGlynn, Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London.

John Herbst, Senior Director, Eurasia Center, The Atlantic Council, moderated the discussion. 

Troels Lund Poulsen, Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, stated: “In March 2024, a Danish delegation visited Kyiv and established and developed the ‘Danish model’. This is a way to develop the defence industry here in Ukraine. Denmark, together with other countries, has committed to directly supporting Ukraine with about 650 million dollars to be used in the production of military equipment by Ukrainian defence companies. 

And why, you ask? Firstly, it is much quicker to finance and produce the equipment here in Ukraine, we financed 20 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems and they were produced within two months. It would have taken two years if we had procured them from Europe. Secondly, you get more for your money. Three Bohdana systems produced here, is equivalent to the price of one produced in Europe. And finally, you also have the ability to produce spare parts and do the maintenance here in Ukraine. 

“What we are seeing now is a wake-up call. We need to do even more. We are committed to Ukraine. On behalf of the Danish Government and members of the Danish Parliament there is broad support. You will not be left alone.”, summarized Troels Lund Poulsen. 

Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of Defense of Lithuania, said: “We should grow military muscle, and we should speak in one voice. Now is not a time for panic. Let’s not forget Ukraine has fought off Russia for three years and Europe is the richest and most stable region in the world. We have not been investing proportionately in our own defence and if we want to be a security guarantee for anyone we need to be in a strong position of power.

First, Europe needs to further support Ukraine. To buy in Ukraine for Ukraine. Develop joint projects; provide weaponry; remove any restrictions and limitations on the use of those weapons, second, we need to strengthen ourselves by expanding defence and military capability, third, ensure the transatlantic bond works, and fourth, never neglect international principles or the right of any nation to choose the defence alliance it wants to be a part of.” 

“Nothing changes what we need to do today. That means fund our own defence industry and fund Ukrainian defence industry which has potential to be a really big global player, because of its battlefield-based technology, really motivated engineers, exceptional capacity which is growing really fast.”

Vadym Sukharevskyi,  Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine, noted that Ukrainians as a nation do not compromise.

“This is what we expect from Europe and the rest of the countries that support us. And we are extremely grateful for that.” 

“We wish Europe unity, wisdom and force – this is what we count on.

“We have had eleven years of it, with three years of full-scale war. This has allowed us to build a system that will lay the foundation of our strength, the strength of Europe for years to come. I can tell you that drones completely and drastically change the battlefield.”

When asked by John Herbst what Churchill would do, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2019-2022) answered, “Churchill would do what President Zelenskyy has so heroically been doing over the past three years; making sure that we keep America engaged.

We need to keep focus on winning. I remain optimistic. What is tragic about the language from Washington is that it is an insult to the Ukrainian soldiers and their incredible achievements, who deserve our wholehearted support and encouragement.”

“What Trump is trying to do is get Europeans to step-up, and let’s be honest we haven’t done enough. We need everyone to get serious and get real.Trump has said he doesn’t mind UK troops on the ground in Ukraine – so we have to make that real. We have to work with the French and others to make that happen.”

“The Americans have committed black and white to a free secure sovereign Ukraine. You cannot have sovereignty without the ability to decide what clubs we are going to belong to. Sovereign countries can remain committed to joining NATO. That is sovereignty.”

Jade McGlynn Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London, stated: “I don’t want to give in to false optimism. I live half my time in Kharkiv. Ukrainian soldiers are exhausted, especially on the measly amount they’re given. There does need to be time for Ukraine to rest, rebuild and rejuvenate. For that to happen, in a way that allows Ukraine to survive the political warfare that will come from the Kremlin, there need to be real security guarantees. I don’t think the problem is a lack of policy. I think it is a lack of political will. We don’t have time to waste. We live in a post-NATO world. We didn’t have the last three years to waste. We don’t have any more.”

Photos are available here

Video is available here