New Strategy Center organized a research visit to Ukraine, in Kyiv, between 2–6 November, for discussions with Ukrainian officials and experts. The topics addressed included developments on the front and the prospects for a diplomatic solution to Russia’s war of aggression, the situation of the energy system and critical infrastructure amid the intensification of the Russian army’s bombing campaign, hybrid actions launched by Moscow, and the security of navigation on the Danube and the Black Sea.
The discussions also covered preparations for the conference dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine, which the New Strategy Center will organize on 11–12 December in Bucharest, under the patronage of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of the conference is to highlight Romania’s role in the reconstruction of southern Ukraine in particular, an area heavily affected by Russian attacks, cross-border cooperation, and cooperation on infrastructure projects aimed at increasing connectivity between Romania, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova.
Black Sea energy and renewable energy, cooperation in the defense industry, the human capital needed for the reconstruction process, and the reintegration of veterans into society are other topics considered for the Bucharest event and discussed during the meetings in Kyiv.
The NSC delegation consisted of George Scutaru, Director General, and Ecaterina Dadiverina, Director of the “Projects for Ukraine” Department and President of New Strategy Center Ukraine. They held meetings with Natalia Kalmykova, Minister for Veterans Affairs; Aliona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development; Andrii Kashuba, Deputy Minister for Development responsible for maritime and river transport; Olga Reshetylova, Ombudsman for Military Personnel; and Igor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy responsible for humanitarian demining. They also met with members of the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv: Yulia Sirko, First Vice-Chair of the Committee for Transport and Infrastructure; Vadym Halaychuk, First Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union; Vitalii Bezgin, Chair of the Subcommittee for Administrative and Territorial Structure and Local Administration; and Volodymyr Tsabal, Secretary of the Budget Committee.
The NSC experts also met with representatives of employer organizations in the defense industry, as well as experts from various fields: Sergii Goncharov, CEO, and Andrii Mygas, Deputy Director – National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries; Alina Frolova – Vice President, Centre for Defence Strategies; Igor Burakovsky – Director of the Board, Institute of Economic Research and Policy Consulting; Admiral (ret.) Ihor Kabanenko – former Deputy Minister of Defense; Mykhailo Samus – Director, New Geopolitics Research Network; Andrian Prokip – Director of Energy Programs, Ukrainian Institute for the Future; Mykhailo Gonchar – President, Centre for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”; Ivan Us – Senior Consultant, National Institute for Strategic Studies.
The New Strategy Center is grateful to H.E. Victor Micula, Romania’s Ambassador to Kyiv, and the team of the Romanian Embassy for their support.
One of NSC’s main lines of action is supporting Ukraine’s resistance against the Russian invasion, as the outcome of the war will determine security in the Black Sea region, as well as that of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. To this end, NSC has organized several events and projects and has recently established New Strategy Center Ukraine, an association operating in the neighboring country in accordance with local legislation, with the objective of promoting cooperation between Ukraine and Romania, supporting Ukraine’s EU integration, and fostering cross-border and connectivity projects.
