Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted a discussion ‘The Politics of Ending the War: Voters, Vibes, and Leadership’ during the YES Special Gathering on February 24, 2026

On 24 February 2026, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy (YES) held a discussion ‘The Politics of Ending the War: Voters, Vibes, and Leadership’ during the YES Special Gathering on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

During the panel discussion members of parliament from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and other EU countries discussed voters’ political sentiments and the limits of what democratic leaders can realistically do. 

The following politicians joined the discussion: Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space (Lithuania); Sara Nanni, Chair of the Defence Committee for the Green Party Group, Bundestag (Germany); Alex Sobel, Member of the House of Commons (UK); Elisabetta Gardini, Vice President, Fratelli d’Italia Parliamentary Group in the Italian Chamber of Deputies; Aron Emilsson, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Riksdag (Sweden); Peter Juel-Jensen, Deputy Chair of the Defence Committee, Folketing (Denmark); Rihards Kols, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Latvia);  Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of the Sejm; Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Deputy Speaker, Seimas.

Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, moderated the discussion.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius opened the discussion saying that the future of Europe depends on the future of Ukraine: “The future of Europe as a democracy depends absolutely clearly on the future of Ukraine.”
He also acknowledged Ukraine’s success in military technology innovation: “I have visited industrial factories earlier, and today I’ve been absolutely impressed with what Ukrainians produce, including missiles, air defence missiles. We can say in a very clear way that Ukraine is now an arsenal of democracy. Back in 2022, the whole production in Ukraine totalled 1bn euros. Now its production value is estimated at 50bn euros, which means they managed to increase production by 50 times. For us to increase it twofold or threefold would be a miracle.” 

“In the event of Russia’s war aggression, we’ll be facing a battle-tested aggressor, who is able to produce a lot of weapons, with a really clear understanding that we do not have that experience. And only Ukraine has such an experience on our side. So that is why I always reiterate that Ukraine’s EU membership and its integration into the European Defence Union is in our utmost interest,“ he added.

Chair of the Defence Committee for the Green Party Group in Bundestag Sara Nanni said: “Although there are so many different political contexts in which we as parliamentarians try to make a case for peace in Ukraine, we try to build a common understanding of the security situation in Europe and about the common battles we have to fight now and in the future for free Europe.”

Alex Sobel, Member of the House of Commons (UK), voiced concern over Russia’s interference in Western democracies: “We're witnessing a rise of populism across Europe, which we are certainly not immune to in the United Kingdom. This is  layered with Russian interference driving populist narratives, driving a message that our systems, our democracy is failing and that they need to turn to authoritarianism. And an underlying narrative is of stripping Ukraine of support and other narratives against Ukraine.”

Elisabetta Gardini, Vice President, Fratelli d’Italia Parliamentary Group in the Italian Chamber of Deputies,praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and assured of futher support: “The extraordinary resistance of a nation deemed inferior in numbers and means, but not in courage, defied every prediction and changed the course of history after four years.  Together with our partners, we will work with responsibility and determination to help achieve an outcome that ensures the Ukrainian people's security, stability and the future worthy of their sacrifice.” 

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swedish Riksdag Aron Emilsson warned against Russia’s potential threats to the rest of Europe: “Russia that succeeds in Ukraine will not stop at Ukraine. That is why Nordic Baltic countries are among the largest supporters of Ukraine relative to our size. And we have chosen action over hesitation.”

“Supporting Ukraine is not only an act of solidarity or charity, it's about strategic foresight. And the time to act is now. Russia will not stop. It must be stopped,” he added.

Peter Juel-Jensen, Deputy Chair of the Defence Committee, Folketing (Denmark), downplayed the narrative of Ukraine being a faltered democracy due to failing to hold elections during the war: “I think we all owe Ukraine and all the Ukrainians a lot. So we are owing you a lot, and you don't owe us anything when we are talking about how to make sure that democracy is still functioning in Ukraine. I have to say that you are one of the strongest democracies I have ever seen. I have been an election observer four times in Ukraine, and every time I have seen how democracy is working here.”

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk said that elections could be held in Ukraine only if the following two principles are observed - security and democracy: “Elections can only be held if they meet two basic criteria. They must be democratic, and they must be secure. Without these two criteria, it is impossible to talk about elections.”

“The Ukrainian parliament is currently developing a clear legislative framework. We have set up a group to draft legislation on so-called post-war elections, and I think we will present the results of this draft law in the near future. After this draft law is developed, Ukraine will announce when these elections should take place,” he added.

Rihards Kols, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the US role: “No matter how dire the time that we live in right now, we should not wait in for the weakness of emotions. They might pass. We are still relevant, the US is relevant for Europe and for Ukraine as well.”

Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty also touched upon the US shifting role and called for the EU to be more decisive in its defence: “The EU should be willing to undertake responsibility for the future of Ukraine, because at the moment the funding of Ukraine’s many needs has been provided by the EU. I don’t have anything against the USA. I just want those of you, who failed to understand what is going on, to open your eyes. We are witnessing the change in the balance of forces.”

“I strongly believe that the EU has to become stronger and more active. We have to wake up to a new reality,” he added.

Photos are available here 

Video will be on YouTube  www.youtube.com/user/PinchukFoundation