Inter­na­tional Conference: Ukraine and us. Where do we go from here?

 ‌Event  28. Feb 2025  

The Center for  Liberal Modernity cordially invites you to the inter­na­tional conference ‘Ukraine and us. What next?’ in Berlin.
Invitation

21 March, 13.00–18.00 hrs
Atrium of the Reinhardstraßenhöfe
Reinhardt­straße 14, 10117 Berlin

Given Washington’s erratic signalling in recent weeks, Europe must radically rethink its security archi­tecture, with Ukraine playing a central role.

The US can no longer be relied on. There is a real risk that the new admin­is­tration may turn against both Ukraine and Europe. The fate of Ukraine and Europe now depends on the resolute action of the Europeans themselves.

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, there is still no unified policy on the war in Ukraine: What are our objec­tives for the outcome of the war? What should be part of negoti­a­tions – and what should not? How can Europe become an independent actor vis-à-vis Moscow and Washington? And how can we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for potential negotiations?

REGISTRATION

12:30 – 13:00 | Registration

13:00 – 13:15 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Marieluise Beck & Ralf Fücks, Centre for Liberal Modernity

13:15 – 13:45 | Keynote
Andrius Kubilius, EU Commis­sioner for Defence and Space

13:45 – 15:15 | 1 PANEL
What Security Archi­tecture Can Guarantee Peace in Europe and Ukraine?
Putin’s war aims extend far beyond Ukraine. Moscow seeks to restore its former sphere of influence in Central and Eastern Europe and to funda­men­tally reshape the European security order. Ukraine’s subjection is central to this plan. How can Europe prevent this from happening and, together with Ukraine, defend its own security?

  • Andrius Kubilius, EU Commis­sioner for Defence and Space
  • NN, NATO
  • Dmytro Kuleba, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2020–2024); Associate Professor at the Paris School of Inter­na­tional Affairs (PSIA); Senior Fellow at Harvard
  • Anna Kostrzewa-Misztal, Deputy Director of the Eastern Department, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia (2006–2016); Distin­guished Nonres­ident Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis; Rapporteur of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) (tbc)
  • Boris Pistorius, German Federal Minister of Defence; Advisory Board Member, Munich Security Conference (tbc)

15:15 – 15:45 | Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:00 | Intro­ductory Remark
Annalena Baerbock, Federal Foreign Minister, Member of the German Bundestag (Alliance 90/​The Greens) (tbc)

16:00 – 17:30 | 2 PANEL
What Security Guarantees Does Ukraine Need?
A ceasefire without security guarantees does not ensure peace – it would merely provide Ukraine with breather before the next attack. Even if negoti­a­tions were to succeed in 2025, the West must make it clear to Russia that any renewed aggression would end in defeat. To maintain credible deter­rence, Europe must act as a united front – even if necessary, without U.S. support. What are the condi­tions for ending the war? How can Ukraine be stabilised and another Russian attack prevented?

  • H.E. John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council‘s Eurasia Center, US Ambas­sador to Ukraine (2003–2006)
  • Annalena Baerbock, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Member of the German Bundestag (Alliance 90/​The Greens) (tbc)
  • H.E. Fredrik Löjdquist, Director of the Stockholm Centre for East European Studies (SCEEUS)
  • Solomiia Bobrovska, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Holos), Committee on National Security and Defence

17:30 – 17:45 | Closing Remarks
Marieluise Beck & Ralf Fücks, Centre for Liberal Modernity

17:45 | Reception