On February 5th, a delegation of Spanish security and strategy experts met with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Oleksandr Lytvynenko. The delegation included Victor Mario Bados Nieto, Director of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies (IEEE); Ignacio Fuente Cobo, Senior Analyst at IEEE; Manuel José Gazapo Lapayese, Director of Institutional Relations at UNIVERSAE and Director of the International Security Observatory; and Amín Lejarza de Bilbao Essalhi, Head of the Youth Section of Eurodefense Spain.
This visit was organized with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation as part of the joint initiative European Renaissance of Ukraine.
During the meeting, the discussion focused on the nature and characteristics of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Oleksandr Lytvynenko highlighted how initial analytical forecasts failed to predict the real course of events, particularly the misconception that Kyiv would fall within three days.
The delegation explored the unique aspects of warfare in Ukraine, including the effectiveness of Western-supplied weaponry and Ukraine’s ability to adapt on the battlefield. The differences between Ukrainian and Russian mobilization processes were also analyzed, highlighting key strategic contrasts. Additionally, the involvement of North Korea in the war was examined, underlining the conflict’s growing international dimension.
A crucial point of discussion was the need for long-term security guarantees to prevent future invasions and conflicts. Oleksandr Lytvynenko emphasized that without concrete international commitments, the risk of renewed aggression remains high.
The conversation also underscored a fundamental challenge: the absence of any “rules of the game” in Russia, which complicates diplomatic and military engagement with the Kremlin.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued cooperation. The Spanish delegation reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, emphasizing that the country’s struggle is critical for European stability and the defense of democratic values.
