Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2014), Danylo Lubkivsky, believes that Ukraine’s role on the international stage should change and that in this respect, democratic values are of critical importance. He spoke about this at the 7th Youth Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.
"For Ukraine, the concept of values is a concept of survival. For us, the concept of collective, liberal, and democratic values, including a reasonable, large-scale, and inclusive understanding of our national identity is a topic of survival", – Lubkivsky said. He added that Ukraine should already start talking about this on the international stage.
"International organizations determine the boundaries of what’s possible. But it is up to us how we expand these boundaries. And I am not here to teach the representatives of other countries but from a Ukrainian’s point of view, I believe, that a separate word belongs to Ukraine. It is definition of our international role, it is an undeniable understanding that aggression against us is a huge opportunity for internal transformation", – stressed Lubkivsky.
He also added that for Ukraine to survive in today’s conditions "means defeating not only the aggressor, but our own laziness, our own conflict, our own uncertainty, and our own problems that have always been the curse of our people".
Lubkivsky also believes that Ukraine needs to learn to contribute knowledge, ideas, discussions and even emotion to the international organizations in order to influence the world agenda.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Youth Kyiv Security Forum is a platform for young experts to discuss relevant issues regarding international relations and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The goal of the forum is to strengthen the role of a new generation of experts and improve their ability to participate in the process of political analysis and development.
During this year's two-day Forum, representatives from every region of Ukraine, as well as young specialists from Georgia, Germany and Poland will discuss the current challenges faced by international organizations (EU, NATO, OSCE, UN, CE). As a result, the participants will present an alternative view on the activities of these organizations.
