On January 20, Bohdana Batsko, Project Assistant of the Spain and Latin America Cooperation Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center, took part as one of the speakers in a discussion on the Spanish YouTube channel losimplenovale focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine and its wider international implications.
During the conversation, Batsko emphasized that Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure — particularly the energy sector — represent a core component of its military strategy. She noted that systematic strikes against electricity, heating, and other essential systems are aimed at eroding civilian resilience, disrupting state functionality, and increasing pressure on Ukrainian society during the winter months.
Placing these developments in a broader strategic context, Batsko argued that the war continues to reshape the future of the European security architecture. She stressed that Ukraine and its European partners are operating in an increasingly volatile environment, which necessitates sustained investment in domestic defense capabilities, military technologies, and deeper coordination with European allies, including through sector-specific cooperation such as energy security.
Addressing current peace frameworks, Batsko noted that Ukraine continues to coordinate closely with international partners while contending with Russia’s ongoing strategic objectives. She emphasized that while Ukraine seeks resolution to the conflict, any outcome must be underpinned by credible and enforceable security guarantees. According to Batsko, the critical measure of success is not merely achieving a formal agreement, but whether the resulting arrangements provide effective mechanisms to deter renewed aggression and maintain long-term stability.
Batsko also drew attention to the human rights situation in temporarily occupied territories, emphasizing that systematic persecution of Ukrainians based on identity, language, and political loyalty remains a critical but often overlooked dimension of the war. She argued that these realities must remain central to discussions on peace, as territorial decisions directly affect the safety, rights, and future of civilian populations.
Feel free to find full discussion via the link.
Canal de Youtube losimplenovale