Skopje, October 8, 2025 — The opening panel of the Defending Democracy: The Battlefield of Truth International Conference gathered prominent voices from across Europe and beyond to reaffirm a powerful message: Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression is inseparable from the defense of democracy and freedom across the continent.
The event was organized by CIVIL – Center for Freedom, in partnership with the founders of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (DDGI) — the New European People’s Forum (international) and Media Dialogue (Germany) — together with DDGI’s flagship programme, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, and its distinguished partners Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy) and the Jean Monnet Association (France). The conference brought together parliamentarians, analysts, diplomats, journalists, and civic leaders in a hybrid format linking Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, the Netherlands, the United States, North Macedonia, and Ukraine.
The discussion, titled “Ukraine’s Struggle – Europe’s Future, Our Common Reality,” set the tone for three days of dialogue and strategic coordination within the broader Democracy Navigator framework supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
Ten Lessons from the Frontline of Solidarity
Opening the discussion, Roger Casale, founder of the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine and former British MP, reflected on a year of activity since the first Defending Democracy conference in Skopje (December 2024). He outlined ten lessons learned from the Alliance’s work across Europe — from London and Rome to Karpacz and Skopje.
“The most important lesson,” Casale said, “is that our societies are not yet aware of how grave and imminent the danger is. The hybrid war does not stop at Ukraine’s borders — it is already here.”
He stressed the need for urgency, solidarity, and belief in collective strength. “If we lose the fight for the future of Ukraine, we lose the fight for the future of Europe,” he said, adding that democracy’s defense must come not only from governments but from citizens, journalists, and civic movements alike.
Media, Democracy, and Resistance
Dr. Wolfgang Ressmann, chairman of the New European People’s Forum and head of Media Dialogue, expanded on the human dimension of hybrid warfare. Drawing from a decade of experience working with journalists from Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova, he warned of the dangers facing independent media in the region.
“Journalists are being forced into exile or prison,” Ressmann said. “When we defend Ukraine, we defend freedom of the press and the right to truth in all our countries.”
He called for stronger European support for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction, noting: “We do not want war with Russia. We want to protect our own values — freedom, justice, and human dignity.”
Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Responses
Emanuele Errichiello, Deputy Director of Centro Studi Internazionale (CSI) in Rome, reported on last week’s high-level meeting in the Italian Parliament co-organized with DDGI and WA4U. Italian MPs, senators, and experts from leading think tanks, including the Istituto Affari Internazionali, joined to discuss the next phase of European and transatlantic cooperation for Ukraine.
“Extraordinary situations require extraordinary responses,” Errichiello said. “This coalition shows that effective European security cooperation is possible — and must include Ukraine as a future member.”
The Role of Culture in Resilience
Representing the European Cultural Foundation, Friso Wiersum emphasized the central role of culture in defending democracy. Citing the famous wartime quote attributed to Winston Churchill, he asked, “If we cut funding for arts and culture, then what are we fighting for?”
“Culture,” he said, “is where we negotiate how we want to live together. We need a European Cultural Deal for Ukraine — to protect its heritage and ensure that it remains part of Europe’s shared cultural space.”
Ambassador Gudrun Steinacker, Vice-President of the Southeast European Association (Südosteuropa Gesellschaft), added that Ukraine’s cultural and natural heritage is under direct attack. “Russia’s hybrid war targets not only infrastructure and civilians but also identity and memory,” she warned. “We must strengthen our response to disinformation and support independent journalism across the Balkans.”
Science, Disinformation, and Trust
Italian data scientist Prof. Walter Quattrociocchi, a leading expert on information dynamics, called for a more scientific approach to fighting disinformation.
“We are not in a battle between fake and real news,” he said. “The problem is structural — information overload and business models that reward polarization.”
He warned that emerging artificial intelligence systems risk deepening what he called an “epistemic disease.” “We are eroding trust even in facts themselves. The challenge is not just to fight propaganda, but to rebuild our capacity for truth.”
The Human Rights Imperative
Heather Roberson-Gaston, human rights expert from the University of Virginia, argued that rebuilding Ukraine’s human rights system cannot wait until peace is declared. “It isn’t premature to ask what we will do after the war,” she said. “We already know the challenges — housing, trauma, justice, and veterans’ care. What is missing is political will.”
“This is not charity,” she emphasized. “If we fail to defend Ukraine, we fail to defend our own future. We are all under threat.”
Truth as Europe’s Weapon
Olivier Védrine, administrator of the Jean Monnet Association and co-founder of DDGI, spoke from his decade-long experience in Ukraine. “Defending democracy means defending truth,” he said. “We don’t need propaganda to fight propaganda. Russia lies — Europe must respond with facts, values, and courage.”
He warned that Europe must become more proactive: “Democracy is the only system that delivers dignity and happiness. We must prove that again — by helping Ukraine win.”
Industrial and Strategic Readiness
Michael Clayforth-Carr, defense and security consultant and advisor to the UK government, highlighted the urgent need for Europe to rebuild its industrial and defense capacities. “We began with an emergency response,” he said. “Now we must move to reconstruction and long-term sustainability. Ukraine has shown us what innovation looks like in wartime — and Europe must learn from it.”
Defending Democracy, Every Day
Eglė Celiešienė, representing the Lithuanian College of Democracy, offered a reminder from a country that knows the price of freedom. “Thirty years ago, we believed democracy would last forever,” she said. “Today we know it must be defended every day. Defense is not about tanks — it’s about trust.”
Her closing words echoed through the hall: “If we lose our civic space, we lose democracy. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom — and for ours.”
A Shared Future
The discussion concluded with a unifying message: the fate of Ukraine and Europe is one and the same. The defense of truth, culture, human rights, and democratic integrity is a shared responsibility — and a shared reality.
As the conference continued, participants pledged to strengthen cooperation through the Defending Democracy Global Initiative, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, and the ongoing work within the Democracy Navigator project. The next steps will include follow-up events across key European capitals, as the coalition expands to ensure that democracy, solidarity, and truth remain Europe’s strongest defenses.
Acknowledgment
This report was written by Jabir Deralla, based on transcripts prepared with AI tools and the assistance of Heather Roberson-Gaston. AI (OpenAI GPT-5) was used for transcription support and editorial refinement, under full human supervision.
🎥 LINK to the livestreamed event
🗞️ LINK to the press conference for the international media