The Head of the Chatham House: The EU does not fully understand that Ukraine is struggling for the future of Europe as well

Ukraine, opposing Russian aggression in Donbas, is fighting not only for its’ own safety and independence, but also for the values and freedoms of the European Union, for the entire system of European security. However the EU does not fully understand it, said Robin Niblett, Head of the Chatam House: The Royal Institute of International Affairs, during the opening of the 8th Kyiv Security Forum organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. 

“As far as I see, the EU does not fully understand that Ukraine is fighting for its own future and it has a direct impact on the future of the whole Europe. And the freedoms chosen by the Ukrainians are the freedoms the EU should actively struggle for,” – he said.

As the expert underscored, the aggression of Russia against Ukraine has the place due to the fact that the Kremlin does not want a free society to be created, and that is the way chosen by Ukraine. “Now Ukraine is facing a serious challenge. But the government has achieved its objectives in the circumstances of the security peril, when the territory and population are threatened by a powerful neighbor – Russia. Why is it so? It’s obvious for me that the desire to create a free society is not an idea shared by the government of the Russian Federation. They have chosen another way for their future, namely limitation of freedoms, mass media restrictions and the centralization of power,” – said R. Niblett.

As the head of the Chatham House underlined, such specific point of view does not entitle the leadership of Russia to “impose its will on the people of Ukraine that is fighting for its freedom and security”. He believes that if Russia faces requisite external pressure, the aggression against Ukraine can be stopped.

“The values and freedoms Ukraine is struggling for are similar to those we have in Europe. That is why we strongly support Ukraine. Not only because it will be right, but also because it will correspond the interests of the entire system of European security,” – he underlined.

For your information: 

The annual international event ‘Kyiv Security Forum’, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation in 2007 is a platform to discuss the most pressing issues concerning the security in Europe and the Black Sea region. The Forum is aimed at promoting security cooperation between the European Union and the Black Sea Region, raising awareness of the development of security among key players and strengthening the role of independent and non-governmental actors in solving security problems in Europe.