The visit to Brussels became the final chapter in a series of September visits by the TDC team to key European capitals (Berlin, Paris, Madrid). In Belgium, Marianna Fakhurdinova, coordinator of the EU-Ukraine Partnership Programme, and Stepan Rusyn, coordinator of the German-Ukrainian Partnership Programme, took part in a series of events aimed at drawing the attention of European partners to the current political and security challenges faced by Ukraine and the EU.
A highlight of the visit was the presentation of a study on the SAFE instrument at an event organised by the European Policy Centre. Marianna Fakhurdinova presented the challenges and advantages of this EU initiative, emphasising the benefits and necessity of supporting Ukraine’s defence for Europe. This study focuses not only on the key benefits of the project for Ukraine, but also outlines the advantages of cooperation with Ukraine for the entire defence sector of EU member states.
During their visit to Belgium, representatives of the TDC team held a series of bilateral meetings with experts and representatives of the EU institutions discussing the prospects of Ukraine’s participation in the SAFE initiative, further military support of Ukraine within the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ format, and Ukraine’s EU integration. Experts from leading think tanks: Egmont, EUISS, Bruegel, EPC, Martens Centre, TBI Brussels, Brussels Freedom Hub, IRSEM Brussels shared their valuable insights in this context.
TDC also held an array of meetings with the representatives of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG ENEST, DG DEFIS, Kubilius office), the European Parliament (SEDE), the Ukraine Donor Platform. Such broad representation of high-ranking politicians, professional experts, and scholars is clear evidence of the relevance of the topic of European integration and Ukraine’s defense capabilities for EU member states.
