Programme | DDGI International Conference – Four Years of Aggression: Ukraine’s Resistance and the World’s Responsibility on 24 February

24 February 2026 | 17:00 CET | Online

Context

On 24 February 2026, four years after Russia launched its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the Defending Democracy Global Initiative convenes an international online conference to assess the political, moral, and strategic consequences of this ongoing war.

What began as a military invasion has evolved into a defining confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism — fought not only on the battlefield, but through disinformation, hybrid warfare, economic coercion, and the erosion of democratic values.

This moment calls not for commemoration, but for clarity and responsibility.

Conference Format

Format: Online (live-streamed)
Language: English
Duration: 90-100 minutes

The conference is structured into three focused thematic sections combining short interventions with moderated discussion.

Click on the YouTube link or the event on Facebook to be notified. 

 

PROGRAMME

 

Welcome and Introduction | Presentation of the Declaration

  • Xhabir Deralla, President, CIVIL – Center for Freedom; Co-founder, Defending Democracy Global Initiative (North Macedonia / Western Balkans)
  • Roger Casale, Director, Westminster Alliance for Ukraine; Co-founder, Defending Democracy Global Initiative (United Kingdom)

Thematic Section I | Reality: Ukraine and the Shape of War Today

Key points:

  • There is one victim — Ukraine — and an axis of aggressor states and authoritarian actors
  • Ukraine as the frontline of a global struggle between democracy and authoritarianism
  • War as an imposed, long-term condition reshaping politics, security, and society
  • The cost of endurance — for Ukraine and for democratic resolve worldwide

Speakers:

  • Olivier Védrine, Director, Jean Monnet Association (France)
  • Kateryna Pavlova, Coordinator, Ukraine2Power (Ukraine)
  • Wolfgang Ressmann, President, Media Dialogue; Co-founder, Defending Democracy Global Initiative (Germany)
  • Eglė Celiešienė, Professor, Lithuanian College of Democracy Education (Lithuania)
  • Larysa Dir, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of North Macedonia (Ukraine)

Video Address:

  • H.E. Larysa Dir, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of North Macedonia (Ukraine)

Special contribution:

  • Eric Jozsef, President, Europa Now! — Report from Rome

Moderator:

  • Roger Casale

Thematic Section II | The Invisible War: Disinformation, Hybrid Threats, and False Peace

Key points:

  • How propaganda, “both-sidesism,” and strategic ambiguity weaken democracies
  • The normalization of authoritarian narratives in Europe and beyond
  • Silence, neutrality, and fatigue as forms of complicity

Speakers:

  • Lina Kushch, First Secretary, National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (Ukraine)
  • Lesia Horodenko, Professor, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine); Researcher, University of Mannheim (Germany)
  • Mika Beuster, President, German Union of Journalists (Germany)

Moderator:

  • Xhabir Deralla

Thematic Section III | Choice: What Must Be Defended — and by Whom

Key points:

  • Responsibility of governments, media, civil society, and citizens to act
  • What must stop — and what must be protected — despite political, economic, or social costs
  • Ukraine not only as a victim of aggression, but as a mirror held up to the world

Speakers:

  • Heather Roberson, Human Rights Expert and International Advocate, University of Virginia (USA)
  • Emanuele Errichiello, Director, Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy)

Moderators:

  • Roger Casale
  • Xhabir Deralla

Concluding Remarks:

Wolfgang Ressmann, President, Media Dialogue; Co-founder, Defending Democracy Global Initiative (Germany)

 

Declaration

Ahead of the conference, the Declaration on Ukraine’s Resistance and the World’s Responsibility is issued and open for endorsement by organizations, media, intellectuals, and citizens.

The Declaration reaffirms:

  • Clear recognition of Russia’s war of aggression
  • Rejection of false equivalence and imposed neutrality
  • Commitment to defending democratic values, truth, and accountability

To endorse the Declaration, please complete the designated FORM.

Initiative Framework

The conference is held within the framework of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (DDGI), as part of its flagship programme, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine (WA4U), and is coordinated by CIVIL – Center for Freedom. CIVIL’s independent media platform will host and livestream the event, ensuring open international access and sustained public engagement before and after the conference.

The initiative is implemented in cooperation with the European Youth4Media Network / Media Dialogue, and the New European People’s Forum (Germany), Jean Monnet Association (France), and Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy). Organizers also expressed appreciation to the Ukraine British Business Council for supporting the promotion of the event.

 

Contact for inquiries:
Jabir Deralla
Co-founder, Defending Democracy Global Initiative
President, CIVIL – Center for Freedom
info@defendingdemocracy.global