Today, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada Andrii Bukvych participated in the conference "NATO’s Eastern Flank: Challenges and Implications in the Context of the Ukraine War," organized by the Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS) at the University of Ottawa and the Canadian Department of National Defence.

Andrii Bukvych was one of the keynote speakers on the panel "NATO Diplomacy in Practice," emphasizing the following key points:

✅ Ukraine as NATO’s security outpost. Ukrainians selflessly defend shared Euro-Atlantic values, demonstrating resilience in the face of aggression.

✅ The cost of compromises. The lack of decisive action on Ukraine's NATO integration in 2008 created preconditions for Russian aggression against Georgia, Crimea, Donbas, and the full-scale invasion in 2022.

✅ No compromises with Russia. Any "peace" that allows the aggressor to retain occupied Ukrainian territories will only lead to a new cycle of war and violations of international law.

✅ The Budapest Memorandum. Today marks 30 years since the signing of the Budapest Memorandum, which was supposed to guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal. However, this document became an example of how disregarding international commitments can lead to large-scale war.

✅ Ukraine’s contribution. The Ukrainian Armed Forces, equipped to NATO standards, demonstrate the effectiveness of modern military technologies, ensuring the security of not only Ukraine but also the Euro-Atlantic region.

✅ Partner unity. Supporting Ukraine is an investment in global stability. An invitation to Ukraine to join NATO will send a strong signal to Russia about the unwavering commitment to the Euro-Atlantic course.

💬 "Ukraine not only requires NATO's collective security but also makes a real contribution to the Alliance's security by deterring Russian aggression. Together, we are building a world based on rules, freedom, and justice," summarized Andrii Bukvych.

We express our gratitude to the organizers for providing this valuable platform for dialogue and strengthening cooperation. Together, we bring Ukraine closer to victory and reinforce security in the region and worldwide.