On May 14–16, 2026, NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub took part in a closed conference hosted by the Ditchley Foundation in the United Kingdom. The discussions focused on European security in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Participants included officials from NATO and EU countries, military and security experts, representatives of think tanks and defence companies, and investors.
According to Tregub, international partners have become significantly more optimistic about Ukraine’s role in Europe’s security architecture. Compared to last year, participants spoke less about Europe’s vulnerabilities and more about Ukraine’s contribution to deterring Russia. “Ukraine has gained autonomy and independence in terms of weapons production and the ability to strike deep inside Russia. Everyone is talking about Ukraine as a security provider,” said Olena Tregub.
The conference also focused on building mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukraine, Europe, and NATO. Participants highlighted Ukrainian defence innovations, including the development of drones and electronic intelligence capabilities, digital solutions, and the rapid pace of innovation in the defence sector.
According to Tregub, conference participants were closely following developments in Ukraine, including the “Midas” case, which many viewed as an example of anti-corruption efforts and democratic accountability.
“It is very important that our partners help us fight the war while also supporting the development of strong institutions. This is what I spoke about as a member of the Public Anti-Corruption Council of the Ministry of Defence and a representative of NAKO. As one professor here noted, Ukraine’s victory is not an event but a process. Whether Ukraine has won the war will become clear only several years after a ceasefire — when we see what institutions we have built, what kind of society we have, and what system emerges. Civil society must also play a role in this process,” emphasized Olena Tregub.
The Ditchley Foundation is an influential British international think tank and private forum for strategic discussions, founded in 1958 at Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire. The organization brings together politicians, diplomats, military officials, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives from around the world for informal and confidential discussions on global challenges — from security and international politics to technology, democracy, and sanctions policy. Ditchley is known for creating space for candid dialogue between people with different perspectives and has often served as a platform for new international initiatives, partnerships, and policy ideas.
We are grateful to Razom for Ukraine for supporting the trip.
First photo: The Ditchley Foundation