Panel Debate: The Future of Ukraine

AAU hosted a debate on The Future of Ukraine with the Strategeo institute, discussing peace, EU membership, and reconstruction. This event underscored the ever present impact of the war to everyday life in the Czech Republic and to students at our university, following a similar panel debate held six months ago.

The Strategeo Institute brought together distinguished experts to examine Ukraine’s path forward including: diplomatic, military, governmental, and business perspectives.

  • H.E. Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic.
  • Arm. Gen. Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces.
  • Tomáš Kopečný, Czech Governmental Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.
  • Petr Krogman, Entrepreneur in Ukraine’s agricultural sector, President of the Czech-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce.
  • Elias Konturas, AAU student representative.

This discussion happened six weeks after a ceasefire discussion where European nations and the United States were asked if they could insure long-term security guarantees, but the deal was not sealed. General Řehka commented that the ceasefire is not likely to happen soon, but if any agreement will be reached, it must be under the right conditions. Petr Krogman echoed this statement saying that it is profitable for Putin to continue the war economically, politically, and territorially.

“I would rather be more optimistic as Ukrainians always are. First, Ukraine is not losing this war and Russia is not winning this war,” said Ambassador Zvarych, “We know how to fight them and we know how to beat Russia. The only thing we need is your support, your military assistance, and the decisiveness on the part of our allies.” 

In order to build peace, Tomáš Kopečný argued that fully imagined deterrence in the form of military power against Russia as well as air defense in the form of drones is necessary. Kopečný urged tax payers to think about “capabilities” and “capacities” that are being built with NATO and EU member’s money to help those on the ground in Ukraine, not whether the spending itself is necessary. 

Ambassador Zvarych noted that there are concerns regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s position, but keeping the U.S. at the table along with Ukraine’s other allies is important leverage over Russia. His Excellency also stressed the importance of sanctions as a way of cutting Russia’s way of funding the war as oil and gas exports make a large portion of their revenue.

“Putin is not interested in any kind of peace talks unless he is pushed to do so. The only way to achieve peace in Ukraine is through our unity, power and strength,” said Ambassador Zvarych.

Ukraine’s path toward EU membership and necessary domestic reforms were also discussed. Krogman argued that Ukraine is in no position to meet the criteria for EU membership, so the EU should accept Ukraine in order to make reforms from the inside-out. Kopečný insisted that EU membership is a long process which Ukraine is working on, but that it is already very much integrated in the EU market.

“Ukraine’s future depends on our support, western support, but our future also very much depends on Ukraine’s future,” remarked General Řehka, “Russia was, Russia is, and Russia will be a major threat to the Czech Republic and the region regardless of the outcome of the war, but what Putin can get away with and how the west responds will shape the rules of the world.”

Visit the AAU Youtube channel to watch a video of the full debate. View the photo report from the event on the AAU Flickr page.