On February 7th, a delegation of Spanish security and strategy experts met with analysts from the Come Back Alive (CBA) Initiatives Center to discuss Ukraine’s defense challenges, military needs, and veterans’ policies. 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, CBA Initiatives Center analysts Maria Kucherenko and Hlib Volosky provided insights into the organization’s work, which focuses on strengthening Ukraine’s security and supporting its veterans. The discussion covered the Center’s two primary areas of activity: the Analytics Department and the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Analytics Department studies Ukraine’s strategic environment and formulates recommendations to enhance the country’s defence and security sector. The Department of Veteran Affairs, in turn, works on developing an ecosystem for the rehabilitation of veterans and servicemen, including through adaptive sports programs.
The conversation also touched on the current situation at the front, the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, and the most pressing needs of the military. Additionally, the participants exchanged views on Russia’s influence in Africa and the impact of Russian propaganda in the region. CBA analysts shared insights from their ongoing research on veterans’ policies in other countries, particularly the United States and South Korea, to explore best practices for supporting Ukraine’s service members.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and further collaboration between Spanish security experts and Ukrainian analysts, reinforcing international support for Ukraine’s defense and veteran reintegration efforts.
