On 1 March, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, in cooperation with the Chatham House Russia and Eurasia Programme and Lithuanian Embassy in London, hosted the discussion “Is Europe ready to face hardships in support of Ukraine?”.
The panel discussion focused on the place for Ukraine in the European security framework and Europe’s preparedness to continue supporting Ukraine in a prolonged war. During the event, insights were shared by Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament); James Nixey, Director, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House; Tomas Janeliūnas, Chief Research Programme Officer, EESC; Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Lithuanian Parliament; Alicia Kearns MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, UK Parliament; Joanna Szostek, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House; and many others.
Tomas Janeliūnas, Chief Research Programme Officer, EESC, pointed out at the beginning of the discussion that we can not fall into the trap of wishful thinking. “A weaker Russia doesn’t mean a less dangerous Russia. Putin is convincing the public that Russia is fighting against NATO, it’s an existential war for Russians, a total war,” T. Janeliūnas stated.
As Alicia Kearns MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, UK Parliament, emphasized during the discussion, the West has been blinded by arrogance over the last two decades. The West has been blinded by arrogance for the last two decades. „There was wrongful thinking that the market economy, democracy, and values were so convincing that autocrats would become more democratic. More resilience must be built in order to tackle authoritarianism. Making sure Russia can not rebuild its capacities in 10 years and more is a must,“ said Mr. Kearns, “If the Russian frozen assets can not be used for the rebuilding of Ukraine, according to the current laws, the laws need to be changed”.
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) also echoed the speakers, adding that the Russian government is ready for a long confrontation with the West: “The future depends on the West’s collective response and individual national efforts. There can not be backsliding into “business as usual“. A complete ban on Russian and Belarusian sportsmen in the Paris Olympics is a must-be. Moreover, Russian frozen assets have to be used for the rebuilding of Ukraine. Suitable mechanisms must be created or found for that”.
The event also featured insights by James Nixey, Director, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House; Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Lithuanian Parliament; Joanna Szostek, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House; and many others.
A recording of the discussion is available here.