On September 13-20, 2026, Stepan Rusyn, Germany-Ukraine Partnership Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center (TDC), participated in the 12th Türkiye Europe Future Forum (TEFF) in Sofia, Bulgaria. Organised by Stiftung Mercator in cooperation with TÜSİAD, the forum brought together around 30 professionals from diplomacy, government, think tanks, academia, media, business and civil society across Türkiye and Europe.
This year’s forum, titled “Staying Resilient, Rebuilding Order: Turkish-European Relations in a Post-Western World,” focused on the changing international order, European security, strategic autonomy, and opportunities for strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and European countries.
As part of the programme, Stepan Rusyn co-led the session “Türkiye and Ukraine: Security Developments Since 2022” alongside Timothy D. Chattell, Chief of the General Staff’s Research Fellow in the International Security Programme at Chatham House. The discussion explored how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has transformed modern warfare, the ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war, and Türkiye’s role as a mediator alongside other international actors.
During the session, Rusyn presented an analysis of the current negotiation process, examining the positions of the parties involved and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement. He also discussed recent public opinion polling and economic data from Ukraine and Russia, highlighting what these findings reveal about public attitudes toward the war and the condition of Russia’s war economy.
The session provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on Ukraine’s security challenges, Türkiye’s diplomatic engagement, and the broader implications of Russia’s war for European security. Participants also discussed the changing role of third-party mediators and the prospects for future negotiations.
Rusyn’s participation in the forum helped strengthen dialogue among Ukrainian, Turkish, and European experts on regional security and international cooperation. Through its engagement in international expert platforms, TDC continues to bring Ukrainian perspectives into discussions on the future of European security and the evolving geopolitical order.
Learn more about the Türkiye Europe Future Forum.