On 1 April 2025, the event "Countering the Authoritarian Axis" was organised by the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV) in cooperation with the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO).
The event was attended by around 30 Ukrainian and foreign experts, diplomats, media and civil society representatives.
The aim of the event was to draw the attention of the international community to the growing economic and military cooperation between Russia, Iran, North Korea and China. It also offered possible ways for European countries to counter the 'authoritarian axis'.
Speakers include:
- Olena Tregub – NAKO Executive Director;
- Hanna Hopko – Founder and Head of the Board of National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS), co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV);
- Lesia Orobets – Ukraine’s air defence advocate, Founder of the NGO ‘Price of Freedom’, Former Member of Parliament of Ukraine;
- Olena Sas – Expert in monitoring and analysis of information, project manager of the National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS).
In her speech, NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub presented a policy brief, 'Countering the Authoritarian Axis: Lessons From Ukraine and Challenges for European Security'. This paper was introduced in the European Parliament at the end of January. But now that European countries are facing the threat of authoritarian states, the report has become even more relevant, says Tregub.
According to NAKO's research, the danger of cooperation between Russia, Iran, North Korea and China lies in the exchange of technology, the improvement of weapons and the facilitation of sanctions evasion, Tregub said. For example, Iranian instructors taught the Russians how to launch Shahed-136s, and now Russia is producing an improved version of these drones on its own—up to 10,000 a year. Similarly, the North Korean KN-23/24 ballistic missileі used by Russia in its war against Ukraine has become more accurate and destructive thanks to the cooperation of the 'axis of authoritarianism' and the supply of Western components.
"Europe must unite to counter these countries' growing aggression and war capabilities. In particular, it is important to improve the sanctions mechanism at European Union level. Currently, each country is individually responsible for implementing sanctions. Instead, there should be a common platform at the EU level, otherwise the authoritarian axis will use the disunity of European countries against it," the NAKO executive director said.
In addition, Olena Tregub noted that NAKO will continue to research the topic of cooperation between authoritarian regimes. In particular, our experts plan to focus on how military technologies are exchanged despite sanctions and export control.
During the discussion, participants also raised the issue of China, which EU countries may consider as a stable partner instead of the United States. However, it should be understood that China opposes the EU as a union and prefers to cooperate with each country individually, warned NAKO's executive director. "Instead of looking for someone to lean on, Europe should build its strength from within—in partnership with the Ukrainians, who have a strong army and share the democratic values on which the European Union is built," she said.