“As a society, we cannot afford to choose who to be: Cossacks or farmers. In the long run, what will protect us is not an army made up of the same people — demotivated, worn out, and exhausted — but a ‘defence society’ that we must become, where everyone (and, in time, every woman too) is ready to defend their country.”

We invite you to read an essay by Kateryna Zarembo — a servicewoman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Chair of the Supervisory Board of the New Europe Center — written for the special project by Ukraїner and Frontier Institute “25 Strategic Questions for Ukraine.”

The author notes that the army is a reflection of society, with all its flaws and shortcomings. In her view, “open discussion and the involvement of society in addressing these problems — including, once again, putting on the pixel oneself — is the foundation of our defence capability.”

Kateryna Zarembo is convinced: “Every person who serves is a co-creator of the Ukrainian army, and the more decent and professional people it has, the better.”

She also outlines steps that will help strengthen Ukraine: — transparent mobilisation policy; — realistic prospects for demobilisation; — removal of barriers for women who wish to serve; — a culture in which service is the norm, not the exception.

The full text of the essay is available via the link here.