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The financial damage to Ukraine from russia’s war is estimated at hundreds of billions USD and rising.The Western assistance to Ukraine is expressed in tens of billions USD and rising.However, this so called “assistance” is not for free. Most of it is in the form of loans, which will have to be paid back.Meanwhile, Ukraine’s total government debt reached 145 billion USD in 2023 or about 90% of GDP and rising.The future reconstruction will require enormous investments.Who must pay for all those expenses?The obvious answer is: the aggressor state, that is the russian federation. The russians will certainly pay in the long run, for all their innumerable crimes. However, the exact timeframe for Ukraine’s victory is not yet clear. The future reparations are yet to be determined in international courts with their very lengthy procedures. The frozen russian assets are still untouched, which speaks volumes about pecuniary priorities of capitalism over its alleged democratic values.The collective West bears part of responsibility for this war. First, because of its decades-long infatuation with moscow that blinded a critical look at this terrorist state. Second, because it took away nuclear weapons and its carriers from Ukraine and gave them to russia. Third, because of its indifference and inactivity in 2008 and 2014, and its criminal procrastination about providing Ukraine with all necessary weapons since February 2022. Fourth, because this russian war is waged against all Western democracies, which they know and acknowledge.The longer the West allows this war to continue, the more it will have to pay for its consequences. Ukraine defends directly all of Europe and, indirectly, the United States, against the russian army of thugs. Ukraine is the moral leader of the modern free world. The West cannot afford withholding its support for Ukraine. Ukraine’s cost and the brunt of the war is much higher than any amount of money that it will ever receive from its Western partners. Ukraine owes the West nothing. The West owes Ukraine everything.So, there are two possible outcomes:Either the West wakes up and helps Ukraine crush the russian empire as swiftly as possible. All the russian money abroad will be given immediately to Ukraine. All the funds that Ukraine has received from all of its foreign creditors since 2014 must be written off, or those funds will be included as part of the future russian reparations for Ukraine, officially endorsed by international courts.Or the West continues to “manage escalation” and pay for this inadequate and short-sighted policy for many decades to come. &nbsp;Oleksandr Aleksandrovych, Ambassador-at-large Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, specially for the Kyiv Security Forum. &nbsp;

Oleksandr Aleksandrovych, Ambassador-at-large Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, specially for the Kyiv Security Forum.

Who must pay for russia’s war?

We need support and assistance not “as much as we can”, but all the way until Ukraine prevails, - Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the KSF Chairman, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014-2016 stated at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum in Kyiv on the 22nd of March.“We hold this Forum to call on the entire world, to wake up the entire world time and again so that they understand that the lessons of the events leading to the First and the Second World wars and their consequences have not been explored or learned”, - he emphasized.Any day’s delay costs lives of the Ukrainians and further jeopardized the very existence of the Ukrainian land, the KSF Chairman stressed.“So, our call and appeal today to the whole of the civilized world is: Ukraine must prevail, give us weapons”, - the KSF Head emphasized.“We need not only anti-missile weapons, we need missiles to strike at russia. We need weaponry to oust the russian invaders from Ukrainian soil. We need assistance “not as much as we can”, but all the way until Ukraine prevails.” – Arseniy Yatsenyuk said.“This is the issue of the very existence for Ukraine and the entire world, - he stressed.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”.

We need support and assistance not “as much as we can”, but all the way until Ukraine prevails.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the KSF: Our call to the entire civilized world is – Ukraine must prevail, give us weapons 

Ukraine has survived because of Ukrainian people’s valour and unprecedented assistance delivered by the West.This was the message by Danylo Lubkivsky, Kyiv Security Forum Director, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014 at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundations “Open Ukraine”.<iframe width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ex_1WBzf8Ns?si=RKxbURggM_vPjuWn" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>“russian aggression has destroyed not only territorial integrity of Ukraine, but our humanitarian, cultural and information integrity – millions of people”, - he emphasized.KSF Director also stated that millions of Ukrainians have found themselves outside Ukraine, millions more are suffering under the yoke of Russian occupation, repressions and brutal cultural and educational propaganda that tries to turn them into imperial russians.“Again, repeatedly, russia turn to genocide, Holodomor practices of the Second World war in an attempt to put an end, to eradicate Ukrainian nation”, - he stressed.“Our people are the most valuable asset of Ukraine. It is tragic that each day we lose them,” – KFS Director underlined.He also argued that the war has changes the rules of political competition in Ukraine and has led to emergence of new influential stakeholders.“The new stakeholder with its vested interests is Ukrainian Army. And this is a much more expansive notion, including not just the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This notion incorporates the military, veterans, volunteers, their families and the whole expanse of Ukrainian patriots participating in defence efforts,” – Danylo Lubkivsky stated.He also emphasized that it is not only necessary to inflict defeat and losses to the enemy, but to become a mighty platform for our democratic nation and our statehood.“It is of paramount importance that Ukraine is strong, integrated into Euro-Atlantic space, and Ukrainian Army is integrated into the NATO Alliance with all its skills, knowledge and training. Alongside with its approaches, understanding and principles that it is today fighting for,” – KSF Director stated. &nbsp;The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ukraine has survived because of Ukrainian people’s valour and unprecedented assistance delivered by the West.

Danylo Lubkivsky: russia tries toput an end to Ukrainian nation, but we shall prevail and win 

The West must provide all necessary weapons to Ukraine so that it can prevail over russia.This was the message by Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“I am hundred percent certain that we will win, and I definitely know what country the Ukrainians wish to see. I am also dead certain that we have real friends and partners”, - Oleksiy Danilov emphasized.He also stated that it was for centuries that russia tried to instill the narrative in the West that Ukrainian nation does not exist. For centuries, russia was “rewriting history and books that can now be found in all “Stanfords” and “Oxfords”.“Speaking about future one should definitely recollect the past. This is terribly important. Still, no one wants to re-visit the past. Indeed, some have thought that we as the nation did not exist. russia was not alone in hatching such ideas,” – he stressed.Oleksiy Danilov also underlined that russia will be decolonized.“The Americans will make another mistake again if they fail to understand that decolonization of Russia is to be carried out in the most near future,” – he pointed out.Security and Defence Council Secretary is certain that Russia will be decolonized automatically, and free and independent states will rise in its former territory in line with the UN Statute.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

The West must provide all necessary weapons to Ukraine so that it can prevail over russia.

Oleksiy Danilov: the West must assist Ukraine to defeat russia  

In case Donald Trump re-elects as the US President, his foreign policy might turn very different from the time of his first presidency.This was the message by Steven Pifer, Non-Resident Senior fellow, the Brookings Institute in the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative, Strategy Affiliate of Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation, Ex US Ambassador to Ukraine at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.During his first term, Mr. Trump came to the office with no idea of how to run the Government, and no idea how to translate ideas into policy. He populated the State Department with people ignorant in policy-making and many other things.“Perhaps, this has saved us from worse things and outcomes. I doubt that the potential second term of Mr. Trump would be like that”, - Steven Pifer emphasized.He is certain, though, that Trump’s second term could be much more difficult for the US, NATO, the EU and Ukraine.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

In case Donald Trump re-elects as the US President, his foreign policy might turn very different from the time of his first presidency.

Steven Pifer: Trump’s foreign policy may be miles apart from the one during his first presidency term 

The US and all democratic countries across the world continue their support to Ukraine, as this is investment into their own security.This was the message by Celeste Wallander, Assistant US Secretary of Defense at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.She noted that since 2022 the global coalition directed 88 billion dollars to provide weaponry and training to Ukrainian Army, develop defense industry, and form joint defence systems.Celeste Wallander also added that under the leadership of the US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin a special contact team with 50 countries participating at the defence minister level to support Ukraine was established.“I am just back from the 20th Ramstein meeting of March 19. We develop a more comprehensive approach to ensure long-term needs of Ukraine. We have now formed 8 coalitions: air defences, maritime security, armored vehicles, demining, drones/UAVs, and more”, - Ms. Wallander stated.“We are interested in Ukraine having its Armed Forces compatible and inter-operable with the NATO standards. On the path to the NATO Washington Summit this July, our cooperation and engagement with Ukraine get deeper still, - she added.“Ukraine’s future is with the NATO. The Washington Summit will take steps to form a credible bridge for Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO,” - Assistant US Secretary of Defense summed up.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

The US and all democratic countries across the world continue their support to Ukraine, as this is investment into their own security.

Assistant US Secretary of Defense affirmed supporting Ukraine 

The outcome of this struggle will have a decisive rippling effect on the course of world history, Ukraine is in the center of the world struggle.This was the message by Philip Zelikow, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Counselor of the United States Department of State in 2005-07 at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“The US is currently preparing for a world-wide war at three different theaters: in East Asia either with China or North Korea, or both, at any time. We are preparing right now for the possibility of a major war in the Middle East that could involve Iran and more. And we have prepared right now for a possibility of a major war with russia. We have to prepare for all these wars simultaneously,” — Mr. Zelikow adding that the odds of this happening are relatively low.“All over the world everyone is demanding that America come up with effective policies on all of these theaters”, - he stressed.“So has America adjusted to the kind of challenge it faces in this extraordinary period of world crises? Can we be everything to everyone all at once? No. The war in Ukraine today, the battlefield of Ukraine is the central and highest priority of the foreign policy of the US “, - Philip Zelikow emphasized.The outcome of this struggle will have a decisive rippling effect on the course of world history.“Ukraine is in the center of the world struggle. You did not ask to be a nation of destiny, but you are. This is the challenge and perhaps the opportunity for this generation of Ukrainians to be at the center of crucial currents of world history that will be remembered for thousand years”, - summed up Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

The outcome of this struggle will have a decisive rippling effect on the course of world history, Ukraine is in the center of the world struggle.

War in Ukraine must be the top priority for the US foreign policy, — Philip Zelikow 

Today, the West Europeans are dealing with the failure of their hopes for russia over the last maybe two generations. &nbsp;This was the message voiced by Daniel Fried, Honorary Atlantic Council member, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs from 2005 to 2009 at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”. &nbsp;“We are destined to engage in a long-term confrontation with Russia until putin remains in power, and even afterwards. We cannot go back to the notion of “business as usual” with russia. We have tried, and we have failed, and now we are dealing with consequences of an aggressive, dangerous Russia, and we need to mean it,” - said Ambassador Fried.He also added that sanctions against russia work, but they’re not going to work fast enough or decisively enough to save Ukraine.“Look at the sanctions against the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, it continued to produce military produce. Their military industry was effective, it was doing ok, but their civilian economy was rotting. Back in 1980s it looked like a complete sanctions policy failure. In retrospect, it looks like a success. That’s not going to be able to help Ukraine right now”, - he said.“The free countries of the world must take seriously the need for a long-term pushback putin’s russia. We must take this seriously, we must not be distracted by other things, - Daniel Fried summed up.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

Today, the West Europeans are dealing with the failure of their hopes for russia over the last maybe two generations.  

States of the free world must get ready to a long-term confrontation with putin’s russia, - Daniel Freed 

Despite sanctions, russia continues to get high profits from selling its energy and natural resources.This is what Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Associate Dean Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies &amp; Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management stated at the 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”. &nbsp;He also mentioned that the IMF projections speak of a rising economy in russia, but real statistics is suppressed, so this is invented and has no anchor in reality.“This is now the economy that has converted itself to become for some 65-70% state controlled. So putin is using the remaining economy as a cooking jar, he is throwing the living room furniture into the furnace to keep his war machine going,” - Professor Sonnenfeld argued describing the reason of Russian economy rising.In russia, many sectors remain unsanctioned and continue to bring super-profits to state budget. &nbsp;For example, over the past year Russia received some 60 billion dollars net revenues from metal exports.“Should the world remain complacent? The world should ensure that sanctions are effective,” - Jeffrey Sonnenfeld emphasized.The 16th Annual Kyiv Security Forum is held March 21-22, 2024, to gather transatlantic support for Ukraine. This year Forum slogan is “Ukraine’s call to the World: Together We Prevail!”. &nbsp;

Despite sanctions, russia continues to get high profits from selling its energy and natural resources.

russia should lose its super-profits from selling resources, - Jeffrey Sonnenfeld  

Through sanctions imposed by Western states, in 2023 russia lost $67 billion of its oil and gas revenues.This is the data from the Kyiv Security Forum <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sanctions_en_e0d5f5c9ea.pdf">study of the outcome of economic sanctions against russia</a> in 2022-2023.According to the document, “considering the fact that the objective of imposed sanctions was to encumber the russian capabilities to wage the war, the said sanctions look logical and well to the purpose. In 2023 compared against 2022, oil and gas revenues of the russian budget went down by $ 67 billion or 40%”.The study authors claim that annual russian war-related expenditures equal $ 108 billion, so a shortfall of $ 67 means 62% of the above spending.The study also emphasized failure of expectations that russian economy collapses thus putting an end to war. There were several reasons why this was not the case. russia was getting ready for war for quite some time, while bracing against the imposed sanctions.“The fact of life is as follows. russia is the state having its own under-converted currency and, hence, has a free hand vis-à-vis emission policies. It does not depend on external financing despite all sanctions, and enjoys sufficient revenues from its exports making itself rather sustainable in domestic spending for a pretty long-term perspective”, - the study stresses. &nbsp;It is also indicated that the russian economy bore rather well the imposed sanctions on goods and services supply not solely because of the so-called “parallel importing” (grey-market import) or successful import substitution. Sanctions were primarily introduced by the states accounting for around 50% of russia’s external trade. At the same time, countries like China, Turkey and some others fail to adhere to sanctions regime in full, or apply partial sanctions only.Speaking about financial sanctions, experts quote barring russia from SWIFT thus making it face the convertible currencies deficit and ruble depreciation. This also accelerated spikes of producer and consumer prices, making russia dependable on Chinese Yuan (CNY).At the same time, freezing russian central bank assets is deemed to be one of the most successful economic sanctions. This has resulted in substantial depletion of the National Wealth Fund, as from March 2022 to January 2024 the liquid resources have gone down by 44 % (from 8,9 trillion rubles to 5 trillion rubles).Experts envisage further potential sanctions tightening in secondary sanctions imposition and sealing off any supply of russian petrochemicals to states-parties to sanctions. In the same vein, oil tankers of the russian grey fleet should be blocked, russia must be put on the the FATF “black list”, and fines ought to be imposed on banks that assist circumventing sanctions. &nbsp;“Economic sanctions will have a truly devastating effect if russia fails to continue its exports of resources and raise respective funds. It is only then that the russian federation may become eligible to meet the conditions to lift sanctions,” the Kyiv Security Forum concludes.Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation, is the leading platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, of national and global security. &nbsp;

Kyiv Security Forum study of the outcome of economic sanctions against russia in 2022-2023.