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Olexandr Mischenko participated in the 20th session of the Strategic Forum in Bled, Slovenia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

03 September 2025 11:10

On September 1-2, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko conducted a working visit to the Republic of Slovenia, where he participated in the 20th session of the Strategic Forum in Bled.

Within the Forum, Olexandr Mischenko took part as a speaker in the panel discussion "Ukraine: long road to peace," dedicated to international efforts to achieve a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine, where he presented Ukraine's vision on this path. He emphasized that such peace is impossible without real security guarantees and cannot be built on concessions to the aggressor.

"Russian 'peace proposals' are, in fact, demands for capitulation. They imply rejecting our territories, membership in NATO, and even our own language. Ukraine will never agree to scenarios that deprive us of our freedom and future," the Ukrainian diplomat stressed.

According to Olexandr Mischenko, the international community must understand: a ceasefire without reliable security guarantees will become merely a pause before a new war. Therefore, for Ukraine and for Europe, it is fundamentally important to develop an effective protection mechanism that will prevent renewed aggression. Stability is upheld by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The further transfer of high-tech weaponry to the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the key to launching real negotiations with the aggressor.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Olexandr Mischenko also held bilateral meetings with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, State Minister of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Germany Flavian Hahn, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Marcin Bosacki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Melita Gabric, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Fariz Rzayev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan, State Secretary for National and International Security, Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia Vojko Volk, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Slovenia Boštjan Paulin, and EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais.

Key topics of the above meetings included further arms supplies to Ukraine, particularly within NATO's PURL and NSATU initiatives, strengthening Ukraine`s defense capabilities, restoring energy infrastructure, aid to affected regions of Ukraine, coordination of international efforts to ensure lasting peace, and maintaining sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation.

The parties paid particular attention to the defense-industrial cooperation development was also discussed as a separate topic. The Ukrainian diplomat called on partners to invest in the production of modern defense technologies, as today Ukraine not only defends its own borders, but also protects all European and Euro-Atlantic security. Humanitarian projects were also addressed, such as demining, supporting affected communities, rehabilitation and psychological aid for Ukrainian servicemen, children, and families.

The Forum's information aspect was complemented by an op-ed from Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha titled "Our security is indivisible: Ukraine's key role in tomorrow's global security infrastructure" published in a special BSF edition. This allowed the key message to be once again delivered to a broad international audience: global security is closely linked to Ukraine's security.

The participation of Deputy Minister Olexandr Mishchenko in the Bled Strategic Forum confirmed that Ukraine remains at the center of global discourse, while partner support in countering Russian aggression is steadfast and unwavering. Only through joint efforts can a lasting and just peace in Ukraine and stability in Europe be ensured.

The Forum is one of the global international platforms for discussing security, politics, economics, and international cooperation. Each year, the Forum brings together senior officials, politicians, diplomats, military personnel, experts, and opinion leaders from various countries to seek solutions to global challenges.