On 29 June, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Swiss Confederation, Iryna Venediktova, participated in the high-level dialogue “The Future of Democracy in Europe and the Future of Ukraine”, organised by the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe in Lausanne.
The discussion also featured Roger de Weck, newly appointed President of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe; Pat Cox, former President of the Foundation and former President of the European Parliament; Dutch journalist and author Caroline de Gruyter; former Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Claude Wild; and Gilles Grin, Director of the Jean Monnet Foundation.
In her remarks, Ambassador Venediktova stressed that the future of Ukraine and the future of Europe are inseparably linked. Today, Ukraine is defending not only its own independence and territorial integrity, but also freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and the security of Europe as a whole. She underlined that Ukraine is no longer merely a recipient of assistance but already an important contributor to European security. Its future membership in the European Union will represent a strategic investment in a stronger, safer, and more resilient Europe. She also emphasized that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved on the basis of international law, accountability of the aggressor state, and reliable security guarantees.
The discussion also featured clear expressions of support for Ukraine from other participants. Former Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine Claude Wild stressed: “We must distinguish between the aggressor and the victim,” underscoring the need to preserve moral and political clarity in responding to Russia’s aggression. Former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox stated: “Ukraine is a full member of the European family and should become a member of the European Union,” reaffirming his steadfast support for Ukraine’s European future.
The participants agreed that Russia’s full-scale aggression has fundamentally reshaped Europe’s security architecture and demonstrated that democracy, freedom, and peace cannot be taken for granted but require constant protection. They also emphasized that the resilience of the Ukrainian people, their commitment to democratic values, and their ability to resist aggression are of decisive importance not only for Ukraine but for the future of Europe as a whole.