In September, Marianna Fakhurdinova, coordinator of the EU-Ukraine Partnership Program, and Stepan Rusyn, coordinator of the German-Ukrainian Partnership Program, visited Berlin as part of an advocacy visit to European capitals. The primary objective of the trip was to discuss with foreign partners the current socio-political challenges faced by Ukraine in the context of European integration and the full-scale Russian war.
In Germany, TDC representatives had the opportunity to meet with leading think tanks such as SWP, DGAP, GMF, IISS, IEP, Kyiv Dialogue, GPPI. These discussions not only established communication but also significantly deepened mutual understanding of the political and security agenda in the EU and Ukraine.
Additionally, German politicians also participated in the discussions. In particular, the party foundations FES, Bertelsmann, FNS, as well as representatives of key German parties – CSU, CDU, SPD, The German Green Party.
The meetings during the visit to Berlin provided an opportunity for a thorough examination of the pressing challenges facing Ukraine’s European integration. Particular attention was paid to the topic of reforms as a necessary step on the path to the EU, as high-profile decisions regarding NABU and SAP highlighted their relevance. In this context, the issue of further comprehensive support for Ukraine by the new German government during a full-scale war was raised.
During her stay in Berlin, Marianna Fakhurdinova, together with her colleague Wilfried Jilge, Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), spoke at an event co-organized by TDC and DGAP. In addition to the aforementioned current domestic and foreign policy challenges, experts also drew attention to a new EU instrument for supporting Ukraine’s defense industry – SAFE. As noted by the roundtable participants, it will increase the defense capabilities of member states and Ukraine, ensuring Europe’s resilience to current threats.
