The panel brought together speakers who have directly experienced the war in Ukraine. These included Ms. Marharyta CHELAKOVA, Senior Manager at Yalta European Strategy, Ukraine; Ms. Yuliia PAIEVSKA, a paramedic captured in 2022 by Russian forces; Ms. Olha TSILYNKO, a volunteer from Kherson and Director of the Sophia Family Rehabilitation Center, Ukraine; and Mr. Yevhen MEZHEVYI, a former soldier in the Ukrainian Army who was rescued from Russian captivity and is the father of three children deported to Russia. The session was moderated by Ms. Teodora TOMPEA, journalist at Digi24.

The discussions addressed the meaning of the concept of Russkiy Mir, the lived experiences of residents from the Kherson region—which was under occupation for nine months—the measures taken for the reintegration and rehabilitation of children deported by Russian occupiers, and the crucial role of volunteers in supporting grieving families. In addition, the speakers highlighted the experience of imprisonment under Russian occupation and the extreme efforts made during wartime to secure basic necessities such as water and food for survival. Lastly, they issued strong warnings regarding the stance we must take toward Russia, as the invading state of neighboring Ukraine—stressing that only a proactive approach toward Moscow can deter future aggression, rather than peace negotiations.

Watch the live sessions on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/xiY4K-9g3N8?feature=share