Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted a short speech “Future of Europe” by Benjamin Haddad, the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, during the YES Special Gathering in Kyiv

On 24 February 2025, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy (YES) hosted a short speech “Future of Europe” by Benjamin Haddad, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, during the YES Special Gathering  in Kyiv “Three Years — Time to Win”. The YES Special Gathering was  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.

During his speech, Benjamin Haddad, the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, spoke about the issue of European strategic autonomy, at what he called a critical moment in history.

“I was with President Zelenskyy and other Heads of State and Governments this morning paying tribute to the fallen heroes of this war. I was in the same spot 11 years ago during the Revolution of Dignity. At that moment, like today, the soul and identity of Europe was to be found in Kyiv. It can be found in the courage and heroism of Ukrainians.”

“Today President Macron is in Washington, DC to engage and have a dialogue with President Trump about our common interest, about the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, about the fact that a quick and easy ceasefire will not lead to peace. It would lead to Russia regrouping, rearming and reattacking as we know and as recent history, regrettably, has proven in the last decade. And this is why we will continue our support for Ukraine. This is why we will step up our military and economic support. And this is why we will have to take our responsibilities when it comes to long-term security guarantees, not only for the stability and security of Ukraine, but also for the security of Europe.”

“When we look at the future of the transatlantic relationship, we have so many common values and interests with the United States. But we also have to hear when American leaders, Democrats like Republicans, tell us that Europe is no longer at the center of their interests, that Europeans need to step up and take more responsibility for their own security. And this is a turning point at a moment for Europeans to do this. 

And the first, the first critical moment where we will be tested on this issue of European defence and strategic autonomy is of course Ukraine, ensuring a lasting peace and the security guarantees that Europeans will have to provide. 

This will need massive investment in AI and Quantum, as well as a generational effort. 

When the rest of the world is going fast and accelerating, we have also to step up. But this will mean first and foremost being here for Ukraine because we know that this is no local conflict, this is no regional war. 

“I'm optimistic that we will face and we'll be at this moment of history where we need to be, that we will be here with the Ukrainians. And I know that you can count on all the Europeans.”, summarized his speech Benjamin Haddad.

Photos are available here

Video is available here