Berlin – ESI meets with Ukrainian civil society to discuss a European Ukraine

3 February 2026
Berlin. Photo: flickr/Lewin Bormann
Berlin. Photo: flickr/Lewin Bormann

ESI’s Gerald Knaus spoke at a panel discussion on “The Future of Europe: Ukraine and the Path to the European Union.” The event was organized by the Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft in Berlin.

Looking back at Europe’s development since the Cold War, Gerald described a continent that demonstrates both the power of integration and the dangers of nationalism. Indeed, both of these realities have been highlighted by Russia’s full-scale invasion. On the one hand, while outside of the EU war has remained an ever-present European reality, relations among EU member states have been transformed, with conflict made unthinkable. States which were once adversaries – for example, Poland and Germany – are now cooperating as close partners. Similarly, European defence cooperation has protected EU member states such as Poland and the Baltic countries, allowing them to enjoy the decades of stability and development that Ukraine too deserves.

At the same time, the dangers of European nationalism have been made even more clear by the death and destruction caused by Putin and his allies. In this context, Gerald argued that Europe must deepen cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly Ukraine, while continuing to strengthen its collective defence.