On August 27, Anton Alimov and Dmytro Babushko, Junior Analysts at the New Europe Center, spoke at a webinar “Ukraine and the Western Balkans: Security, EU Integration and Regional Relations”, organized by the Kosovar Center for Security.

The discussion brought together experts from Kosovo and Ukraine to discuss the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine’s EU accession process, and the broader implications for security in Europe and the Western Balkans.

Dmytro Babushko spoke about recent developments related to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He paid particular attention to attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukrainian cities. The analyst emphasized that supporting Ukraine directly strengthens European security: “Supporting Ukraine is not a diversion of resources, but an investment in European security. What protects Ukraine today will protect Europe as well – both today and in the future”.

Anton Alimov focused on the progress and challenges of Ukraine’s European integration. He highlighted Ukraine’s commitment to the goal of full EU membership, while also stressing the importance of implementing the necessary reforms: “We need reforms to strengthen the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Key reforms cannot be bypassed, as this would harm both Ukraine and the European Union in the long term”.

Participants also discussed the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the Western Balkans and called for closer cooperation between Ukraine and the countries of the region in the area of European integration.

The New Europe Center is working to facilitate the exchange of experience and broaden dialogue among EU candidate countries, including through the annual EU Accession Exchange Forum, which brings together stakeholders to seek common solutions.

Watch the webinar recording below: