Today, 10th of February, 2022, the Ukraine-France Forum took place in Paris.

The event was organized by the New Europe Center in cooperation with the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri – Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI). During the forum, various aspects of bilateral relations between Ukraine and France were touched upon. In particular, the following thematic panels were discussed:

• “Why Ukraine Matters? Political and Security Trends in Ukraine and Their Impact on France and Europe”

• “Energy Security and Climate Challenges: View from Ukraine and France”

• “More Than ‘Just Business’. New Trade and Investment Opportunities for France in Ukraine and Vice Versa”

In her welcoming speech Alyona Getmanchuk, the Director of the New Europe Center emphasized:

“The challenges and threats to European security and stability today do not come from Ukraine. Ukraine is not a troublemaker on a continental scale, but a “country of solutions” with which to build a lasting partnership”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba addressed the participants of the forum with his keynote speech. Some key messages from the Minister to the French audience:

• The ultimatums of the Kremlin now being expressed in the form of documents simply do not provide acceptable solutions. This is not a suggestion for discussion — it is a loaded revolver placed on the table.

• Ukraine is currently fighting and will fight for itself and the whole peaceful Europe. Now it is a struggle on the diplomatic front, but we are ready for all scenarios. We are ready to fight because we know all too well what happens if we give up.

• The stronger Ukraine is today, the lower the risks of further aggravation. Tons of defense weapons coming to Ukraine today from friendly countries are tons of arguments for peace and stability.

• Europe will have to keep an electroshocker of sanctions for some time, and also to have courage to use them against those who encroach on the foundations of security. When living in a neighborhood where there is a serial maniac, it is better to have a stun gun not in the store, but in a bag.

• Compromises can lead to peace, though not unilateral concessions on fundamental issues; they only invite war. Europe knows this all too well.

At the Forum the leadership of the French RTE International, Ukrainian and French experts took part in the panel devoted to discussing energy matters.

“As soon as NS-2 is launched, there will no longer be transit through Ukraine — everyone needs to understand this”, mentioned Yuriy Vitrenko, CEO, Naftogaz, Kyiv.

He pointed out that “Putin demands that Europe allow him to be above the law. GAZPROM is abusing its dominant position on the market. Putin wants NS2 to operate despite even though it doesn’t comply with European rules”.

The final part of the Ukraine-France Forum was dedicated to discussions about new trade and investment opportunities for France in Ukraine and vice versa for Ukraine in France.
Participants noted that cooperation in this area is improving with time, new examples of cooperation emerging.

Bertrand Barrier, president of the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a member of the European Business Association in Ukraine, said the French-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce currently encompases 158 French companies. They are present in virtually all key sectors. Two French banks are among the Top 10 Ukrainian banks. There are also two car manufacturers; business in agricultural sector; the French companies are among the largest distribution networks; they also work in the IT sector.

Specially in line with the Forum, the New Europe Center analysts Alyona Getmanchuk and Leonid Litra prepared a discussion memo “Why Ukraine is important for France”, in which they highlighted a number of arguments why Ukraine matters for France.

The memo is published here (in French).

The forum aims to strengthen the understanding between Ukraine and France through an open dialogue between government officials, independent experts and business representatives, to make the partnership between the two countries more predictable and sustainable, and improve the perception of Ukraine in France.

The event was part of Ukraine’s advocacy campaign in France, organized by the New Europe Center and the Institute of International Relations (Ifri – Institut français des relations internationales) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and supported by Naftogaz and the Federation of Oil and Gas Employers for improving the perception of Ukraine in France and building Ukrainian-French dialogue.