A high-level event was held on Tuesday at the UK Parliament’s House of Commons to launch the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine — a bold initiative aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s sovereignty and advancing democratic unity in response to Russian aggression. The gathering marked a pivotal moment for European solidarity and strategic cooperation.
Held under the title “Towards an Effective European Defence Strategy for Ukraine: Making the Coalition of the Willing a Reality,” and with exclusive media support from CIVIL – Center for Freedom, the event brought together an influential group of European decision-makers, diplomats, journalists, and civil society leaders.
The programme focused on urgent strategic priorities, including the establishment of integrated procurement systems in the field of defense, the development of strategies to counter disinformation and hybrid warfare, the strengthening of democratic resilience across the continent, and the creation of European peace forces and sovereign defense capacities to support Ukraine and enhance Europe’s overall defense capabilities.
Organized under the umbrella of the Defending Democracy International Initiative, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine seeks to foster cross-border collaboration, increase support for Ukraine, and coordinated democratic responses to security threats across Europe.
High-Level Voices from Politics, Media, and Civil Society
The event featured prominent figures from politics, media, and civil society across Europe. It was moderated by Roger Casale, former UK MP and founder of New Europeans, who also coordinates the initiative. He was joined by Alex Sobel, Member of Parliament and UK Trade Envoy to Ukraine, who also chairs the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine. Lord James Arbuthnot, former UK Defence Minister and current Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, provided vital insights on shaping an effective European defense strategy.
From France, Jean-Yves Leconte, former Senator representing French citizens abroad, contributed extensive expertise in diaspora diplomacy and European cohesion.
Civil society and the media were well represented by Dr. Wolfgang Ressmann, President of Youth4Media and Media Dialogue, and Mika Beuster, President of the German Union of Journalists. Italy was represented by experts from Centro Studi Internazionali, including Francesco Gaudiosi, Vice President and Executive Director, who contributed expertise in international law and global governance.
Jabir Deralla, President of CIVIL – Center for Freedom and co-founder of the Defending Democracy International Initiative, co-moderated the event and underscored the vital role of civil society in defending democratic values.
Ukrainian Voices at the Center
Ukrainian voices were central to the event, with direct insights from Ukrainian MP Oleh Dunda and frontline journalists who continue to defend truth and democratic values under enormous pressure. Their participation was a powerful reminder of what is at stake — not only for Ukraine, but for the future of democracy in Europe and beyond.
Launching a Long-Term Democratic Effort
The Westminster Alliance for Ukraine marks the beginning of a long-term effort to strengthen democratic institutions, combat disinformation, and ensure lasting European support for Ukraine.
The Defending Democracy International Initiative was established in December last year following the international conference “Defending Democracy and Human Rights in Times of War, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism” in Skopje. The initiative was launched by Media Dialogue and Youth4Media from Germany, New European Citizens Forum, and CIVIL – Center for Freedom, with the support of the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
D.Mishev
Full list of participants to the Event:
Roger Casale, former MP; founder of New Europeans and co-founder of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (moderator)
Alex Sobel, MP, UK Trade Envoy to Ukraine and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine (keynote)
Lord James Arbuthnot of Edrom, House of Lords, former Chair of the Defence Select Committee, and Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (conclusions)
Philippe Laurette, President of the Jean Monnet Association and advocate for European integration and federalism
Olivier Védrine, Administrator of the Jean Monnet Association; French political scientist and journalist
Jean-Yves Leconte, former French Senator representing citizens living abroad (2011–2023); member of Place Publique
Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security Studies (IPSE)
Oleg Dunda, Ukrainian MP; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Construction and Design in the Verkhovna Rada
Gudrun Steinacker, Vice President of the Southeast Europe Association, former German ambassador
Dr. Wolfgang Ressmann, Chairman of Youth4Media and Media Dialogue; expert in media literacy and civil society development
Mika Beuster, President of the German Journalists’ Association (DJV) and Chief Topic Reporter at VRM Mittelhessen
Francesco Gaudiosi, Vice President and Executive Director of the Centro Studi Internazionali; expert in international environmental law and global governance
Emanuele Errichiello, Director of the EU Observatory at Centro Studi Internazionali and ESRC PhD candidate at the London School of Economics
Lina Kushch, First Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and head of the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers network
Olha Danyliuk, Editor-in-Chief of Volynska Gazeta and co-leader of the ViLNi Media project, promoting independent journalism and free speech in Ukraine
Xhabir Deralla, President of CIVIL – Center for Freedom; co-founder of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative; journalist, expert on hybrid warfare and disinformation (co-moderator)
