LONDON, 9 September 2026 – Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and its defining importance for Europe’s security and democratic future were at the centre of a high-level interparliamentary debate held at Europe House in London on 7 September.
More than 200 participants followed “Ukraine and the Future of Europe: Unity, Security, Democracy” in person and online, according to information announced during the programme. Around 100 participants attended at Europe House, while the online audience included parliamentarians, journalists and editors, civil society representatives, opinion-makers and other participants from several European countries and Ukraine.
The discussion brought together members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the UK House of Commons and the European Parliament, with a focus on how parliamentary cooperation can reinforce government action, sustain support for Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s capacity to respond to Russian aggression and hybrid threats.
The event was organised by the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom in partnership with the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, the European Parliament’s Office in Ukraine, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine.
Opening the gathering, Leena Maria Linnus, Minister Counsellor and Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom, described it as the first interparliamentary debate of its kind at Europe House dedicated to how different parliaments can support Ukraine and the wider coalition of willing countries.
The discussion was moderated by BBC correspondent Olga Malchevska, with the participation of Ukrainian MPs Lesia Vasylenko and Vadym Halaichuk, British MP Ben Coleman, and Members of the European Parliament Sandro Gozi, Klára Dobrev and Mika Aaltola.
Sustaining unity and turning commitments into action
A central message throughout the discussion was that support for Ukraine cannot be taken for granted and must be translated into consistent political, military and institutional action.
Sandro Gozi, Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation to the EU–UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, outlined three priorities for parliamentarians: maintaining public and political support for Ukraine, ensuring that governments implement the commitments they have made, and developing a more stable and permanent framework for European security cooperation.
He argued that Europe must begin shaping a new security architecture instead of relying on improvised responses to each new crisis. In the subsequent discussion, Gozi said the coalition of willing countries could contribute to strengthening the European pillar of NATO, advancing the idea of a European security council and preparing the foundations for a future continent-wide security framework.
Ukrainian MP Vadym Halaichuk warned that one of the Kremlin’s primary objectives is to break the unity of Ukraine’s international partners and weaken the willingness of European societies to continue providing assistance.
At the same time, he said, Russia is seeking to fracture Ukrainian society through attacks on civilian infrastructure, economic pressure and the destruction of the country’s export capacity. The goal, he argued, is to force Ukrainian society to accept conditions amounting to surrender.
Halaichuk stressed that Ukrainians continue to reject such terms and that preserving the unity of Ukraine’s partners remains essential for compelling the Kremlin to enter genuine negotiations rather than using diplomacy to gain time.
Russia’s threat extends beyond Ukraine
Klára Dobrev, a Hungarian Member of the European Parliament and former vice-president of the institution, warned that Vladimir Putin’s ambitions do not end with Ukraine.
She said Russia has spent years attempting to undermine European democracy and unity while cultivating political allies and actors prepared to reproduce Kremlin narratives within European political systems. Supporting Ukraine, she argued, is therefore inseparable from defending the democratic Europe its citizens want to preserve.
Finnish MEP Mika Aaltola delivered a similarly urgent warning, pointing to sabotage, drone activity, intimidation and other Russian operations across Europe.
Europe, he said, must recognise the pattern emerging before it. He rejected any suggestion that the so-called “Finlandisation” of Ukraine could offer a sustainable solution, warning that restrictions imposed on the sovereignty of one country would create a precedent for future Russian pressure against other European states.
Aaltola also emphasised the need to protect politicians, journalists, business figures and other public actors who challenge Russian influence and expose hybrid operations.
British MP Ben Coleman said support for Ukraine remains strong among the British public, despite the cost-of-living crisis and pressure on public services. He argued that political leaders must continue explaining that Ukraine’s defence is directly connected to the security of the United Kingdom and Europe as a whole.
Coleman also drew attention to Russian sabotage and disinformation activities, stressing the need to help citizens recognise and resist operations intended to undermine democratic societies.
Frozen Russian assets and the cost of delay
The use of frozen Russian assets was another major issue in the debate.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko argued that the aggressor—not Ukrainian, British or European taxpayers—should bear the cost of the destruction caused by Russia.
She warned that the damage to Ukraine continues to grow while European governments deliberate over legal and political mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets. The available funds, she said, are becoming increasingly insufficient as Russia systematically attacks Ukraine’s economic infrastructure, businesses, storage facilities and export capacity.
The delay is not an abstract financial question, Vasylenko stressed. The destruction of businesses and infrastructure reduces Ukraine’s ability to finance its own defence, drives further displacement and transfers an ever-greater share of the eventual reconstruction burden onto Ukrainians and their European partners.
Civil society, democratic resilience and accountability
Questions from the audience broadened the discussion to corruption, the rule of law, young people, refugees and the role of citizens in supporting Ukraine.
The Ukrainian parliamentarians stressed that investigations and court proceedings demonstrate that Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions are functioning and that corruption is no longer met with impunity. They also warned against portraying Ukraine as uniquely or inherently corrupt—a narrative frequently exploited to weaken international support for the country.
The European participants noted that corruption is not confined to Ukraine and that high standards of accountability must be applied across Europe. They also underlined the role that Ukraine’s EU accession process can play in strengthening institutions and the rule of law.
Roger Casale, representative of the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, highlighted the importance of mobilising civil society alongside parliamentarians and governments.
“No act of solidarity with Ukraine is too small,” Casale said, urging democratic actors and citizens not to allow Ukraine to be forgotten.
The discussion also addressed the importance of creating opportunities for young Ukrainians educated abroad to return and contribute to the country’s institutions, reconstruction and European integration.
Full recording of the debate published
The European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom has published the full video recording of “Ukraine and the Future of Europe: Unity, Security, Democracy.”
Running for approximately two hours and 20 minutes, the recording covers the substantive programme of the London event, including the parliamentary discussions and exchanges with participants.
The debate addressed European security, sustained support for Ukraine, frozen Russian assets, air defence, Russian disinformation and hybrid operations, corruption and democratic accountability, as well as the roles of civil society, local communities and young people.
Video: EPinUK / © European Union, 2026.
Ahead of the London event, the same themes were explored in the opening episode of Eyes on Democracy, hosted by Roger Casale and Xhabir Deralla, with Leena Maria Linnus as their guest.
The Westminster Alliance for Ukraine (WA4U) is the flagship programme of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (DDGI). DDGI was founded by CIVIL – Center for Freedom, the New European People’s Forum and Media Dialogue / European Youth4Media Network. WA4U connects parliamentarians, civil society, media and other democratic actors in support of Ukraine and stronger democratic cooperation across Europe.
The significance of the London debate extended beyond a single event. It demonstrated the need for sustained cooperation between parliaments, civil society, independent media and democratic networks at a time when Russia is seeking not only to destroy Ukraine, but also to weaken Europe’s unity, security and democratic order.
CIVIL Today News Desk
VIEW THE OFFICIAL EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
Photos: © European Union, 2026.