Ukraine’s reaching and maintaining independence ranks among the greatest achievements of modern history: a joint article by members of the KSF Security Council in the WSJ

The defining metaphor of this new era is the inspirational, determined and innovative defense of Ukraine’s freedom in the face of unprovoked aggression. This was emphasised by members of the Security Council of the Kyiv Security Forum, headlined by the KSF Chairman, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, in a joint article entitled ‘The Ukrainian Phenomenon’, published to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s restoration of independence in The Wall Street Journal.

The authors emphasise that, over three and a half decades, Ukraine has undergone an extraordinary transformation from a fragment of the Soviet empire into a nation that is a global symbol of the struggle for freedom and a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security.

‘We believed that the defining metaphor of the new era would be the fall of the Berlin Wall. In reality, the defining metaphor of this new era is the inspirational, determined and innovative defense of Ukraine’s freedom in the face of unprovoked aggression — and, indirectly, Ukraine’s defense of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as well. Ukraine has shown the world what a nation is capable of when it refuses to submit to a murderous foreign regime and is prepared to fight for its freedom and its existence as an independent country.,’ they note.

The authors describe Ukraine’s reaching and maintaining independence as one the greatest achievements of modern history, alongside the 250th anniversary of American independence, the establishment of the European Union, the reunification of Germany and the enlargement of a united Europe.

A separate section of the article is devoted to the ‘hard truths’ that Western political leaders and societies must face. First and foremost, the authors call for abandoning the illusion that Russia’s war against Ukraine is taking place somewhere far away, beyond the boundaries of Europe and the NATO alliance. ‘Although Ukraine is on the front lines, this is ultimately a war against Europe and NATO, fought on European soil,’ emphasise the members of the KSF Security Council.

The authors identify the hope for a swift peace as the second illusion. ‘The only genuine path to peace lies in Ukraine’s victory and in the maximum political, defense and societal mobilization of a united Europe and a united trans-Atlantic alliance. Mobilization must convince the aggressor that Ukraine will never surrender and that it is prepared to use force against any assault on our collective security, that of Ukraine and NATO.

The third illusion is described as the belief that Russia can alter its aggressive historical trajectory without accountability and atonement for its crimes. “Western leaders often act as though totalitarian regimes will embrace peaceful coexistence in response to Western concessions and passivity, but that will never happen,” the article emphasises.

Stressing that today's war cannot be won using yesterday’s methods, the authors conclude: “Ukraine’s fight against Russian assault isn’t an isolated regional conflict but a crucial defense of the Western democratic order. Allies’ support for Ukraine is essential, but in an era of authoritarian aggression, the West must do more than provide weapons and aid. It must learn to be as determined and inventive as Ukraine. These lessons are vital to a free Kyiv and the survival of the Ukrainian nation.”

The article was signed by the Chairman of the KSF, Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk; Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee for 2021–2025; Ambassador Kurt Volker, U.S. State Department Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations for 2017–2019; Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; General David Petraeus, Commander of US Central Command from 2008 to 2010 and Director of the CIA from 2011 to 2012; Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2025; Taavi Rõivas, Prime Minister of Estonia from 2014 to 2016; Ramina Shut, Director of the ‘Open Ukraine’ Foundation; and Natalie Jaresko, Minister of Finance of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016.