Key Takeaways:
- Support Must Go Beyond the Battlefield: Ukraine’s war effort includes cultural, environmental, and civil society dimensions that need international attention and funding.
- Cultural Heritage Is Under Attack: Libraries, churches, and artworks have been looted or destroyed in occupied territories — protecting what remains is vital for national identity.
- Environmental Devastation Is Widespread: The war has severely damaged Ukraine’s ecosystems and halted conservation efforts, requiring urgent global environmental cooperation.
- Civil Society Is Leading the Way: Institutions like the IWM in Vienna and EuroNatur in Germany are creating platforms for Ukrainian voices and resilience in exile.
Transcript – Gudrun Steinacker
Vice President, Southeast Europe Association (Germany); retired German ambassador
Remarks at the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine Event
It’s not easy, especially as a regular civilian — which is how I see myself — to say what can be done to strengthen Ukraine’s defense. But I can speak a bit about the situation here in Vienna.
Vienna has a very active Ukrainian exile community. One of the key institutions supporting them is the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM). Immediately after Russia launched its full-scale aggression, the IWM, together with Ukrainian artists and scholars, created a space for dialogue and expression. These artists have been given the opportunity to present their work and engage meaningfully with Austrian society.
The IWM also regularly invites guests from Ukraine in fields like politics, the social sciences, and beyond. These events are held in person and online, allowing broad participation. For example, the German historian Franziska Davies is currently a guest at the IWM, conducting research on Ukraine.
But support for Ukraine in Vienna goes beyond one institution. The University of Vienna and various civil society forums offer important platforms to amplify Ukrainian voices beyond politics — through culture, academia, and civic dialogue.
I personally attend these events and support some of the activities, both financially and by being present. Right now, I am working on a paper, based on others’ research, focusing on the environmental destruction caused by the war.
This is not only about major disasters like the Kakhovka Dam — though that was catastrophic — but about the widespread environmental damage across all areas affected by war. The Ukrainian state, understandably, is unable to prioritize environmental or nature protection under these conditions.
One organization doing important work in this field is the German NGO EuroNatur, based near Lake Constance. Three years ago, Ukrainians were awarded the EuroNatur Prize for their efforts in forest protection and for opposing harmful ski resort projects in southern Ukraine.
When we speak of supporting Ukraine, we mustn’t limit ourselves — although military and financial aid remain essential. We must also consider other areas where Ukraine needs help: environmental protection, cultural preservation, and support for civil society.
We’ve seen widespread destruction of cultural assets — libraries, churches, art collections — and we still don’t know how much has been stolen or lost in the occupied areas. It’s vital that we recognize these civilian dimensions of the war.
There are people and organizations working hard to preserve what remains and rebuild. They need our support too. Just as damaged buildings are rebuilt after an airstrike, we must also help reconstruct Ukraine’s cultural and natural heritage.
Next week, I’ll be in Berlin to attend an exhibition featuring outstanding artwork from Odesa. This exhibition is currently touring Europe, as is another large collection of works from the National Gallery in Kyiv — which I saw almost two years ago in Vienna and which, as far as I know, is still traveling.
This is where I see a crucial area for ongoing support — in helping Ukraine preserve its identity, its environment, and its culture.
