Ukrainian Experience in Shaping the Future of European Security: Aspen European Strategic Forum 2026 in Brussels

On September 28–29, the Aspen European Strategic Forum 2026: European Security — Defense, Innovation and the Social Contract took place in Brussels, co-organized by Aspen Institute Kyiv and Aspen Institute Romania. The Forum brought together policymakers, representatives of the defense industry, international institutions, and experts from across Europe to discuss the future of European security and collective responses to emerging threats.

Ukraine is already living through a security reality that other European countries are only beginning to prepare for. Its experience in resisting Russia’s full-scale aggression, developing defense technologies, and adapting state and societal institutions under wartime conditions offers valuable insights for shaping new approaches to European security.

Key topics of the Forum included the evolving European security architecture, the development of the defense industry, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, drones and emerging technologies in modern warfare, supply chain resilience, the protection of European borders, and societal preparedness for long-term security challenges.

Opening the second day of the Forum, Yuliia Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv, emphasized the importance of incorporating Ukraine’s experience into strategic decisions about Europe’s future:

“Ukraine is not an external case for Europe. We already share the same security environment. Europe has resources, technologies, strong institutions, and talented, proactive people. But there is one resource we cannot create more of — time. The ability to learn quickly, make decisions, and adapt is no longer an advantage. It is a condition for survival.”

Ukrainian representatives also contributed to the Forum’s thematic panels, addressing strategic, technological, and defense-related dimensions of European security:

• Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, participated in a panel on developing a viable European security strategy.
• Oleksandr Borniakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine from January to July 2026, joined a discussion on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense innovation.
• Stanislav Hryshyn, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of General Cherry, participated in a panel exploring drones, satellite technologies, and new dimensions of the modern battlefield.

The participation of Ukrainian representatives brought practical perspectives from a country confronting full-scale aggression on a daily basis into discussions on European security. In particular, the conversations addressed the importance of rapidly deploying technological solutions, adapting defense capabilities, and strengthening cooperation between government, business, and society.

Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that resilience depends not only on available resources or the strength of individual systems, but also on the ability of institutions and society to make timely decisions, respond to change, and address threats collectively.

The Aspen European Strategic Forum 2026 provided an opportunity for Ukrainian and European participants to exchange experiences and explore approaches to strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities, technological capacity, and long-term resilience.