On October 2, at the Veza Public Analytics Center, political expert Volodymyr Fesenko analyzed the key political topics affecting Ukraine and Europe. Special emphasis was placed on President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Europe, the Copenhagen summit, and US and EU policies towards Ukrainian support.
Fesenko explained that since Donald Trump's presidency, the US has gradually shifted security responsibility in Europe to the Europeans themselves, including support for Ukraine. Currently, Washington prioritizes its role in peace negotiations but still influences the war dynamic by providing intelligence and sending political signals to Russia.
The "drone wall" project is actively discussed in the European Union, aiming to strengthen collective air defenses on the borders with Russia and Belarus. However, implementation is delayed by differing approaches, limited resources, and disagreement among countries. Ukraine offers to integrate its experience with Europe's air defense efforts.
Another pressing issue is the fate of frozen Russian assets in Brussels—these could serve as collateral for a reparation loan to Ukraine worth €120 billion. Final decisions in the EU remain pending due to a lack of consensus, particularly with Hungary's opposition.
The summit's third major topic is further European integration for Ukraine. Positive signals have come from the Moldovan elections, but Hungarian opposition continues to block technical negotiations regarding EU accession. There's ongoing discussion about using a qualified majority to decide.
Fesenko highlighted the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine through enhanced cooperation with the EU and NATO, new coalitions, joint air defense projects, and military technology sharing. The development of defensive alliances and air defense systems in Europe may progress at various speeds among different coalitions, depending on readiness and political will.
He emphasized that Russia's increased hybrid warfare only stimulates European efforts to strengthen defense mechanisms, with Ukraine as a driving force. However, precise decisions and reforms are still in progress, with outcomes dependent on internal EU and NATO dynamics.
