5th German-Ukrainian Breakfast Debate

05/07/2024

NATO Summit 2024 - What can Ukraine expect?

In the run-up to the NATO Summit in Washington in July 2024, Ukraine was faced with the question of its own expectations, as well as Germany's role within the alliance and for the security of Europe. Against this backdrop, IEP organised the fifth German-Ukrainian Breakfast Debate in Kyiv on 5 July 2024 in cooperation with the New Europe Center (NEC).

The German discourse on Ukraine's accession to NATO and the party differences in the German Bundestag regarding support for Ukraine were discussed. In this context, the perception of the problem of the influence of Russian disinformation was strengthened, particularly with a view to the 2025 Bundestag elections. The upcoming elections in the USA in November were viewed with concern and the implications of a possible new presidency of Donald Trump for the mission in Ukraine and the responsibility for the country's own defence were debated. Additionally, the question of the long-term European strategy for Ukraine, but also towards Russia, was raised.
With a view to the coming winter, the importance of a stable and resilient Ukrainian energy infrastructure was emphasised, whereby support from the EU is needed. It was noted that Germany had lost trust within the European Union in the past when it came to energy.

The event was opened by our Research Associate Laura Christoph, before Stephan Bischoff, Senior Policy Advisor to Robin Wagener, Member of the German Bundestag and Chairman of the German-Ukrainian Parliamentary Group, discussed key challenges with the guests. The discussion was moderated by Sergiy Solodkyy, First Deputy Director, NEC.

As the “UA Transformation Lab” project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office ends at the end of August 2024, this was the last German-Ukrainian breakfast in Kyiv for the time being. The debates in Kyiv took place under the patronage of the German Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Jäger.