Strengthening Europe’s Security with Ukraine: Transatlantic Ukraine Seminar in Loccum Wraps Up

The 2nd Transatlantic Ukraine Seminar “Together Alone? Ukraine Policy in a New Phase of Atlanticism” concluded in Loccum on 10–12 December 2025, bringing together around 90 practitioners, analysts, military officers, writers, and engaged citizens from ten countries for three days of frank and forward-looking discussions on the future of transatlantic security and Ukraine’s place within it.

At a time of growing uncertainty in transatlantic politics, the seminar reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic dialogue while also strengthening Europe’s capacity to lead on its own security and its support for Ukraine. Participants emphasised that Ukraine is not only a partner in need, but also a crucial part of Europe’s strategic solution — and that supporting Ukraine is an investment in Europe’s long-term security.

The seminar featured a strong and diverse line-up of high-profile speakers and moderators from across Europe and North America, bringing together expertise from policy, security, civil society, journalism, and the Ukrainian frontline. Among them were Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Phillips O’Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews; Nataliya Gumenyuk, journalist and CEO of the Public Interest Journalism Lab; Rebecca Harms, former Member of the European Parliament and Vice Chair of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom; Yevhen Hlibovytsky, co-founder of the Frontier Institute; Fredrik Wesslau, Senior Fellow at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies; and Serhiy Filimonov, Commander of the Separate Assault Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" of the 59th Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces of Ukraine, who provided a direct perspective from Ukraine’s frontline. Their contributions brought real depth to the discussions and strengthened the seminar’s role as a trusted platform for frank transatlantic exchange on Ukraine and Europe’s future security.

We are grateful to all speakers and moderators for their invaluable contributions; the full programme is available via this link, and as the seminar was held under the Chatham House Rule, we share below a few cross-cutting themes that resonated throughout the discussions:

• Ukraine, with Europe’s strongest and most battle-hardened army and firsthand experience of modern war, is not merely a beneficiary of assistance—it is a strategic security provider and an essential pillar of Europe’s future defence.

• The evolving US policy environment is accelerating the need for Europe to assume stronger responsibility for its own security and for sustaining support to Ukraine.

• Europe must use the time and experience gained through Ukraine’s resistance to strengthen its own defence and resilience.

• Long-term peace and stability will require not only military decisions, but also a clearer political strategy and stronger societal readiness across Europe.

Beyond the formal programme, the seminar once again demonstrated the value of building a committed community for serious exchange — enabling open conversation, professional debate, and the development of shared ideas and concrete next steps for the year ahead.

The seminar was organised by the German-Ukrainian Bureau, and the Protestant Academy Loccum. We are grateful for cooperation and financial support to Ukrainian Institute in Germany, Federal Agency for Civic Education and Brot für die Welt.

The full photo report can be found via this link.