First Session of the XIX USPS Programme — Impressions

The First Session is always an opportunity to navigate current challenges and trends. A chance to identify possibilities and frameworks for joint action. And of course — to connect! After all, the participants are embarking on a long journey of collective learning. So, here’s how it all unfolded.

The Russian-Ukrainian war has fundamentally reshaped the context of European and global security. We now see clearly that Europe stands with us — sustaining the very existence of the Ukrainian state. For the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, a U.S. president has pledged to end the war during his term.

Still, even such actions and assurances don’t fully dispel Ukraine’s doubts. How much can we count on Europe to find its strength and take the lead in rebuilding a new security architecture? Can we expect Donald Trump to sincerely condemn the aggressor if he lacks emotional distance from Russia? And ultimately — what kind of interstate relations should Ukraine rely on: pragmatic, emotional, or value-driven?

These questions kicked off a conversation between the participants and Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and Minister of Justice of Ukraine. The discussion was moderated by Olha Rudenko, Editor-in-Chief of The Kyiv Independent.

Artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and the relentless advance of innovation are reshaping our lives not only as users — but as citizens. These trends are deeply influencing the realities of Ukraine today. While along with them comes a critical choice: should the state fully absorb the outcomes of technological progress, selectively integrate them, or chart an alternative path?

If we are striving for a digital state, what tools and models should be used? Should we aim to transform the government of the future into a product-driven tech company? What role do technology and innovation play during full-scale war? Why does Ukraine have a real chance to make a quantum leap — to spark an economic miracle — and how is this linked to freedom?

These themes of technology, democracy, and liberty were explored in a discussion with Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development, and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

Following the end of the Cold War, there emerged a belief that geopolitical concerns would recede into the background — giving way to economic prosperity. Yet globalisation, in tandem with rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics, continues to reshape the world as we know it.

Nations have found themselves mired in a security dilemma, recognising the need to reinvest in defence spending and military capabilities. The reshuffling of global power potential is transforming the international order — one increasingly defined by uncertainty and a lack of strategic clarity. So, what characterises the world order of today?

Participants explored the key drivers, trends, and disruptions shaping the geopolitical landscape in a discussion with Mykola Bielieskov, Senior Analyst at the Come Back Alive Center for Defence Strategies and Lead Consultant at the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

In academic circles of the past century, the idea began to take root that human capital is the engine of overall development. While it took time for this concept to be fully embraced, for Ukraine the onset of the full-scale invasion became a powerful signal — one that firmly reinforced the value and significance of the individual in collective progress. At the same time, our country continues to lose people — and not only through outward migration. The consequences of active warfare, depopulation, an ageing population, and the growing number of young deaths all undermine the country’s demographic potential. Yet this process is not irreversible.

A powerful discussion with Ella Libanova — a scholar in socioeconomics, demography, and labour economics, and Director of the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine — tackled some of the most sensitive questions for Ukrainian society: What demographic losses has Ukraine suffered due to the war? And what can be done to restore — at least partially — our human capital during the post-war recovery?

Ukraine stands as a textbook example of a state built on extractive institutional practices — resource monopolisation, excessive centralisation of power, and low levels of public trust. Yet for Ukraine, a fundamental priority is an institutional transition toward an inclusive tradition — one that meaningfully engages citizens in the state-building process. Inclusive interaction between the state and society helps to build trust through openness and a readiness for shared responsibility. But what are the key components of a high-quality institutional transition? Why is it essential? How can we foster a culture of collective accountability? And ultimately 0 what concrete steps must we take to build robust institutions that will guide Ukraine through its recovery and beyond?

Participants explored these questions in a discussion with Lana Zerkal — Ukrainian diplomat, Honoured Lawyer of Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and member of the Coordination Council of the Ukraine Facility Platform.

Amid ongoing debates and the constant weighing of “what matters more” — social spending versus defence — a key question arises: is social protection truly a barrier to development and national security?

Ukraine’s orientation toward being a “social” state is a legacy of the Soviet Union. However, while the Soviet model was based on cheap, mass-scale provision, the modern Ukrainian vision is rooted more in mutual support and strengthening societal capacity. Still, in wartime, discussions persist over which idea speaks more to our future — the welfare state or the fortress state? Do we even have a choice, if we truly aim to become a full-fledged member of the European community?

These were the central questions in a conversation with Pavlo Kovtoniuk, co-founder of the Ukrainian Healthcare Center (UHC) and lecturer at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Despite the devastating impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian economy has withstood the shock and continues to show resilience. Thanks to the efforts of the Armed Forces, international support, and key reforms, the economy keeps functioning. However, while this may be sufficient to sustain the state in wartime, the prospect of long-term recovery and deeper integration into the European community will require a much broader foundation. What opportunities must be leveraged to drive economic growth? How does European integration accelerate reforms and prosperity? And how can Ukraine secure and preserve its investment appeal?

These pressing questions were at the heart of a discussion with Oleksii Sobolev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The modern world is crumbling — becoming unrecognisable. Democracies are facing profound and dangerous challenges. The very countries whose political systems Ukrainians most aspire to emulate have proven incapable of countering the greatest threat of all: war. But where does this vulnerability come from?

In discussions about the life of modern democracies, a growing trend has become apparent: emotional hunger. In terms of human need, emotions have begun to replace facts. Electoral choices have become a blend of passions and opinions — amplified and manipulated by social media. Are these democracies being dismantled from within?

During a powerful conversation with Yuliia Mostova — journalist, co-founder, and Editor-in-Chief of ZN.UA (Mirror Weekly Ukraine) — participants reflected on the viability and competitiveness of today’s democratic systems. Together, they sought answers to a key question: Can democracy discover new tools for effectiveness — without losing its values?

The geopolitical landscape has never been characterised by stability — and our era is no exception. Technological and military revolutions, shifts in economic models, and the collapse of the familiar security order all reflect a deeper transformation of the global system. And few nations feel the pressure of these changes more acutely than Ukraine does today.

But what must we hold onto? What foundational elements must we lay to emerge from this turbulence as a qualitatively new state? And ultimately — how can Ukraine claim its rightful place in the newly forming global order?

These and other critical questions were the focus of an expert conversation with Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

We are entering the era of symbiocracy — a world where humans and technology work hand in hand, shaping new forms of governance and digital interaction. But what does this mean for Ukraine? On the one hand, new technologies accelerate and streamline our daily lives; on the other, they have become fully-fledged instruments of warfare.

Russia systematically attacks Ukraine in cyberspace, and these assaults expose our vulnerabilities. That’s why, for Ukraine, digitalisation must be seen as more than a question of convenience. We must embrace the principle that security — especially in its digital form — is a driver of both resistance and progress, in wartime and in recovery alike.

Participants explored what steps Ukraine must take to strengthen its cyber domain in a conversation with Yehor Aushev, CEO of Cyber Unit Technologies and a leading expert in the field of cybersecurity.

Since the onset of full-scale aggression, Ukraine has kept the issue of accountability firmly on the international agenda. As early as the end of February 2022, in partnership with the international community, we began work on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine.

However, building such a body requires sustained effort and political coordination, as it must be created through compromise among dozens of partner states. Still, the goal remains unchanged: to establish a tribunal equipped with truly effective enforcement mechanisms. What might those mechanisms look like? Can a compromise between the involved parties be reached? How will the new tribunal function — and who will be responsible for bringing Russian perpetrators to justice?

These and other pressing questions were discussed in a session with Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ukraine’s representative before the International Court of Justice.

The final discussion platform of the First Session concluded with a powerful reflection on honest history, national identity, and collective memory. The conversation featured Anton Drobovych, Head of the Centre for Human Rights and War Memorialisation at the Kyiv School of Economics.

The Ukrainian nation is a union of communities that chose to stand together — united by values of justice, dignity, and freedom. We exist as a nation because we choose to call ourselves one. Because we use our voices to tell our story. What we remember — and how we remember it — shapes our shared identity.

But does truth make us stronger? And in the age of post-truth, why does it remain vital to tell our national story with honesty?

It was this kind of deep, open dialogue that defined the First Session. Heartfelt thanks to all participants for their sensitivity and willingness to listen — and to our speakers for their candour and expertise.