On September 25, 2025, the New Europe Center together with Ifri – French Institute of International Relations held the IV Ukraine-France Forum in Paris.
During the three thematic panels, government officials and independent experts discussed:
- What Are the Current Military Strategies and Strategic Perspectives for Ukraine?
- Resilience and Recovery: Ukraine’s Fight Beyond the Battlefield
- Transatlantic perspectives: EU accession process and NATO aspirations
The keynote speeches were delivered by Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Among the speakers of the event there were (some of them):
- Alyona Getmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO
- Rostyslav Ogryzko, Deputy State Secretary, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
- Brice Roquefeuil, Director for Continental Europe, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France
- Vincent Guérend, Director for the European Union at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France
- Alice Rufo, General Director of DGRIS, French Ministry of the Armed Forces
- Claire Cheremetinski, Deputy Director General of the Treasury, France
Key ideas of the Forum speakers:
Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
“Ukraine has undergone an evolution from a post-Soviet political culture to a society that consistently chooses European values. Ukrainian society demonstrates an active stance on defending constitutional principles. It has already become an axiom for Ukrainian society — the choice in favor of European values, the European model of governance, and a European way of life. Our resilience in resisting Russian aggression stems from these very values.
Ukrainian skills acquired on the battlefield and the technologies being developed represent a direct investment in Europe’s defense capability. The discussion within the coalition of the willing on security guarantees for Ukraine is, in fact, about defining the overall security framework for Europe as a whole.
French companies are the largest foreign employers in Ukraine — today, they provide jobs for more than 30,000 employees”
Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
“If a ceasefire agreement were to be reached tomorrow, Europeans must continue to support a strong and independent Ukrainian army while also leveraging its innovative potential — for example, the drones we see in action in Ukraine.
It is also about cooperating with the coalition of the willing on deploying a European contingent in strategically important areas to deter Russia, as well as about our own long-term engagement in the rearmament of Europe.
Ukraine is a candidate country that is defending the security of Europe and Europeans. It is also a test for us: will we be able, in the long term, to guarantee our own security and strategic autonomy”.
Leo Litra, Senior Research Fellow, New Europe Center, Ukraine
“France and Ukraine live in a state of mutual partnership: when you strengthen us — we strengthen you. France has a powerful defence industry, you have frozen Russian assets, and we have experience, technologies, and the will to win.
France has been a trailblazer for many ideas that other countries hesitated to pursue — for example, in the case of creating the coalition of the willing. Remain that way — do not be afraid to take risks. The last three and a half years of full-scale war have shown that every step you took forward was justified, even when others hesitated.
Security guarantees must not be tied to a ceasefire. Some elements of those guarantees should be implemented already now — this will facilitate negotiations and the peace process”
Alyona Getmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO
“”It is extremely important for us that Ukraine’s NATO membership perspective remains on the table — this is about much more than security guarantees. It is about our right, as a sovereign state, to choose our own future.
Ukraine and NATO are currently focused on practical steps. We are very satisfied with the PURL initiative. Another key priority is investment in Ukraine’s defence production, first and foremost in the manufacturing of drones. At this stage, we need 6 billion USD.
Security guarantees are always in the plural — they are not a single guarantee but rather a set of instruments. The cornerstone of this is our defence capabilities — our Armed Forces. Built upon this are EU accession, sanctions, and other measures. We must ensure that Russia not only fears launching a new offensive but is simply incapable of doing so. Russia must have a clear understanding: there is no point in attacking Ukraine, because it will never become part of a renewed Russian empire. This is a long-term objective that can be ensured by Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO. We thank France for supporting our path towards both”.
Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean, Director, Russia/Eurasia Center, Ifri
“The Ukraine–France Forum is a moment for reflection and action, one that contributes to strengthening our mutual understanding, advancing bilateral relations, and jointly shaping Ukraine’s future at the very heart of Europe — as an integral part of its security and prosperity”.
Oleksandr Sushko, Executive Director, International Renaissance Foundation, Ukraine
“What we have witnessed (during the war) is not so much the self-organization of citizens in spite of the state, as it was before, but rather self-organization in support of the state. For me, as a citizen and an observer, this was a significant difference — one that created the very ‘cocktail of resilience’ which enabled us to withstand an adversary with vastly superior resources.
To this day, this ability to self-organize and assume greater responsibility for the state than usual remains a phenomenon of Ukrainian democratic resilience. On the other hand, it has also brought about a new level of citizens’ identification with their state — something that was lacking in the past”.
Soon we will publish key points of panelists` speeches of the IV Ukraine-France Forum.
Photo credits by Ifri, Alyona Getmanchuk, Taras Kachka and screenshots of the Forum livestream.
The Forum is organized with the support of French ministry of European and Foreign Affairs. For this event, the New Europe Center is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation
