DUB Participates in the 18th Kyiv Security Forum

On April 23–24, the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) took part in the 18th Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), held under the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?” The discussions underscored a clear message: progress is possible, but only through sustained and coordinated action.

The Forum convened a distinguished group of international leaders and experts. Key contributions included a keynote by Prince Harry on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as high-level discussions featuring President Andrzej Duda, Ukraine’s Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko, and Kent Walker (Google), focusing on security, accountability, and transatlantic cooperation. A dedicated Chornobyl Remembrance Session highlighted the continued importance of nuclear safety in the current geopolitical context.

Particular attention was given to sessions addressing cooperation with military units and the role of defence technologies in saving lives on the frontline. These discussions closely align with DUB’s Defence Track, which focuses on strengthening ties between Ukrainian frontline experience and European defence ecosystems.

In recent months, DUB has actively contributed to this effort through several initiatives. The Defence Delegation programme facilitates exchanges between Ukrainian soldiers—particularly from the Unmanned Systems Forces—and German stakeholders, including military counterparts, industry representatives, and policymakers. In parallel, DUB’s partnership with German and Ukrainian Defence tech companies helps to connect German engineering precision with Ukrainian battlefield experience and build new networks.

Furthermore, through the New Age Defence initiative, DUB is co-preparing a dedicated drone-focused conference in Berlin, aimed at fostering collaboration between NATO innovation ecosystems and Ukrainian practitioners.

The Forum reaffirmed that Ukraine’s defence remains central to European security, and that advancing defence innovation is a critical component of this effort.