Nordic-Ukraine Advocacy Summit dedicated to path to Ukraine’s victory took place in Finland

The Nordic-Ukraine Advocacy Summit 2024 was held in Helsinki, Finland, organized by the Ukrainian Association in Finland (UAF) and the Nordic Ukraine Forum from Sweden, with support from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Among the main topics of discussion was the path to Ukraine’s Victory in the war against Russia.

“The Summit aims to support the goals of the Pan-European Summit of Ukrainian-Nordic Meetings in Stockholm in May 2024 and the 10 points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula from October 2022. We believe that civil society organizations play a crucial role in ensuring ‘immediate and long-term support for Ukraine,’ which is ‘important for European, Euro-Atlantic, and global security,’ organizers wrote.

“Such events are very important for Ukraine as they help to unite efforts to aid Ukraine between our international partners and Ukrainians living abroad. Great gratitude to the organizers for holding such a crucial event during this difficult time for our country,” emphasized Roman Mykytenko, UWC Vice President for Northern Europe.

Participants focused on effective advocacy strategies for Ukraine. The Summit confirmed that Ukrainian and pro-Ukrainian organizations in the Nordic countries are resolutely united in their support for Ukraine, underlined Vitaliy Zabolotskyy, Head of the Association of Ukrainians in Tampere.

“A highlight was hearing from Pekka Toveri, the newly elected European Parliament MP from Finland, whose strong pro-Ukrainian stance exemplifies the Nordics’ commitment to Ukraine. Meeting Taira (Yulia Payevska), a Ukrainian activist and former POW, was particularly moving; her charisma and dedication are even more striking in person. Speeches by [Ukrainian diplomat – red.] Andriy Deshchytsia were equally impactful. 

Civil society organizations from Ukraine, the Nordic, and Baltic countries took part in an event featuring four panel discussions. “The final conclusions were transformed into a joint declaration and signed by participating organizations. The declaration will serve as a roadmap for further advocacy efforts, ensuring that our voice remains strong and united in support of Ukraine,” wrote the UAF.