Events - UKRAINIAN DIALOGUES

UD meeting EU Commissioner Marta Kos

Ukrainian Dialogues — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:56:16 +0000

Ukrainian Dialogues (UD) had the honor of joining a warm and productive breakfast meeting with EU Commissioner Marta Kos at Europa Huset in Copenhagen, EU i Danmark.

Our co-founders Anastasia Krasnoshchoka and Liudmyla Waller proudly represented us. Together with our colleagues Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen from Hjælp Ukrainske Børn, Anna Voloshchenko from WomenforUkraine, and the passionate Ukrainian violinist Natalia Gordeyeva, they engaged in a deep and insightful discussion.

Commissioner Kos and her team from EU Enlargement & Eastern Neighbourhood engaged in a meaningful exchange on the power of women in the fight for democracy, civic activism, and ways to ensure a stronger and more visible Ukrainian presence in the EU. They spoke about the role of culture and art as bridges between European nations and how personal involvement and political awareness are essential for building conscious and resilient societies.

The conversation also reflected on what is urgently needed today for better mutual understanding between Ukrainians and Europeans for long-lasting security.

Women’s solidarity, support, and faith in one another have always helped humanity through its darkest hours. Meetings like this one empower women’s initiatives, recognize women’s leadership, and their proactive contributions.

We sincerely thank Commissioner Marta Kos and Per Haugaard from the European Commission Representation in Denmark for the invitation and support that inspire our work. We hope, in return, that our team was able to share valuable insight and be a voice for the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian women whose interests we strive to defend.

The post UD meeting EU Commissioner Marta Kos first appeared on UKRAINIAN DIALOGUES.

Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ at Copenhagen Pride Parade 2025

Ukrainian Dialogues — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:18:45 +0000

“Justice for Ukraine! Crimea is Ukraine. Donbas is Ukraine!”

With these calls, the Ukrainian group marched proudly at the Copenhagen Pride Parade 2025 on August 16.

For the community, Pride today is not only about the courage to build a free and equal society at home, but also about the fundamental right to exist. Today in Ukraine, each of them is a target for Russian missiles.

Not only war kills, the Russian war of aggression also slows down long-awaited reforms and laws so badly needed for the recognition of same-sex marriages in Ukraine. Yet organizations such as LGBTIQ+ Military and Veterans for Equal Rights Військові ЛГБТ+ find strength not only to unite through communication and mutual support, but also to stand as strongholds of civic values: freedom of choice and equality.

That is why this year’s Pride theme, “Equal for All,” resonates so deeply with us. We believe that equality is not only about rights and freedoms, but also about accountability and justice. We believe this is what true equality must be and that perpetrators will be held accountable for hate crimes. Because justice is the key to equality!

Deepest gratitude to everyone who marched, sang, and danced with us, especially Free Sky, and photographer Nick Russel, for capturing this powerful day!

Thank you to all of you who greeted us warmly on the streets and shared our beliefs. And a very special thanks to the organisers, Copenhagen Pride, for the opportunity to be part of the parade once again!

The post Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ at Copenhagen Pride Parade 2025 first appeared on UKRAINIAN DIALOGUES.

UD at 3rd annual Nordic Ukraine Advocacy Summit

Ukrainian Dialogues — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 09:30:42 +0000

On June 6–7, the 3rd annual Nordic Ukraine Advocacy Summit, an initiative of the Nordic Ukraine Forum from Stockholm, took place. This year, it was held in the Norwegian capital of Oslo and became the largest in its history – with 90 participants, including the representative of Ukrainian Dialogues Liudmyla Waller.

This reflects the summit’s strong impact and growing demand, as well as the rising interest and expertise among Scandinavian and Baltic civil society organizations in defending democracy and Ukrainian freedom.

Among the speakers were: Mika Aaltola, Europarliament MP, Finland, Guri Melby, MP, Leader of the Venstre Party, Norway, Ann Linde, Former Foreign Minister, Sweden, Lene Wetteland, Den norske Helsingforskomité, Norway, Line Tresselt, Director of Defense & Security, Rud Pedersen, Norway, Celine Emma la Cour, Rasmussen Global, Denmark, Tor Bukkvoll, Senior Research Fellow, Defence Research Establishment, Norway, Hans-Petter Midttun, Non-Resident Fellow, Centre for Defense Strategies, Norway, Tore Walaker and Ole Kvale from Norwegian NGOs “Slava Ukraini” and “Ukrainian Freedom Convoy”, Ane Tusvik Bonde from Amnesty Norway and others.

Experts and analysts skillfully explored concepts and directions for joint Nordic cooperation, highlighting both shared goals and distinct features of foreign policy across the region.

Among the many insightful presentations, we especially want to highlight the contributions of Ukrainian speakers: Hanna Hopko, Chairwoman of the National Interests Advocacy Network, Lesia Orobets Леся Оробець, former Member of Parliament and civil society activist, founding director of NGO Price of Freedom, Mykola Bielieskov, Senior Analyst at Повернись живим/Come Back Alive Initiatives Center. They powerfully conveyed the needs and experiences of Ukrainian initiatives and civic leaders, showcasing a model of effective and deeply committed civic responsibility.

A particularly captivating session was the panel on cybersecurity featuring Michael Gentile, Professor of the University of Oslo, Lorena Carthy-Wilmot, Journalistic Security Engineer, Schibsted Media from Norway, and Jørn A. Sund-Henriksen from Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association. We deeply believe that in hybrid warfare, media literacy and the ability to consume information critically are essential to defending democracy, and can help resolve freedom of speech vulnerabilities of information attacks.

A fitting conclusion to this topic – and the summit overall – was the closing lecture by Lars Erik Berg from Semaphore Consulting Partners on Digital Holistic Security. It left participants with a powerful message and food for thought: to win, we must not only talk about Russia’s war on Ukraine, but also ensure that we do not become a weapon in the enemy’s hands.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the co-organizers from Українська громада в Норвегії Den ukrainske forening i Norge and the Ukrainalaisten yhdistys Suomessa ry / Товариство українців у Фінляндії: behind these names are tireless, inspiring humans devoted to changing the world around them, engaging international partners, and securing Ukrainian victory.

And we hope that next year in Copenhagen, Danish activists and politicians will have the chance to share their strategies and secrets of effective diplomacy at the 4th Advocacy Summit.

The post UD at 3rd annual Nordic Ukraine Advocacy Summit first appeared on UKRAINIAN DIALOGUES.

“Get out of the matrix”, – Anton Tymoshenko at DR during his European tour

Ukrainian Dialogues — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:26:55 +0000

The war leaves its mark on everything — it transforms Ukrainian culture and its role in the Ukrainian fight for freedom and democracy. But as always, we reflect and look for support and resources in it. Ukrainian stand-up comedy is a vivid example of this. In just one evening in Copenhagen, Anton Tymoshenko’s show raised about UAH 800K for the defense forces’ needs. This is all thanks to a wonderful mix of dark humor and a bright thirst for victory.

Anton Tymoshenko’s stand-up in Copenhagen was very warmly received. We laughed, we felt sad, and we got food for thought from a man who lives in Ukraine in times of war, sirens, and massive attacks. We thank Anton for allowing us to look behind the curtain—not from the news, but through his personal reflections—honestly, courageously, with humor and dignity.

We would like to thank the incredible audience who listened and actively participated in the charity auction. You were generous even for the АТБ-Маркет plastic bag – and this is the true power of solidarity.

But Anton is not only a stand-up comedian, but also a public figure and political scientist who impressed with a brilliant interview the day after the performance for the Danish radio DR P1. With Nanna van Toornburg, he touched on one of the most pressing topics for Europeans – accepting realities. “Get out of the matrix. Change the blue pill to a red pill. Recognize the reality that the war is ongoing and we need to act decisively, quickly, and without illusions. There will be no peace. Sooner or later, we will have to defend ourselves.”

Thank you, Anton, for your honesty, talent, and example of fighting for Ukraine. We appreciate it, and we look forward to seeing you again!

The post “Get out of the matrix”, – Anton Tymoshenko at DR during his European tour first appeared on UKRAINIAN DIALOGUES.

EU i Danmark & UA Dialogues at Folkemødet 2023

Ukrainian Dialogues — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:00:56 +0000

In June 2023 Ukrainian Dialogues took part in Folkemødet on Bornholm as part of the European Commission’s tent at Allinge. The tent was designed as “Den europæiske byggeplads” – the European construction site – a space to discuss how Europe must rebuild and reinforce its common “house” in a time of war and geopolitical upheaval.
Ukraine ran like a red thread through much of the programme. One of the central debates was “Verdens største byggeplads – Genopbygningen af Ukraine” (“The world’s largest construction site – rebuilding Ukraine”), which framed recovery as a long-term European task that will reshape infrastructure, energy systems, and democratic institutions.
Together with partners from Ukraine and Denmark, Ukrainian Dialogues helped bring the life experience and civil society perspectives into a series of Ukraine-focused sessions that showed the country both as a candidate state under attack and as Europe’s largest reconstruction site.

Ukrainian Dialogues curated and supported several unique experiences, including “A Tale of Two Ukraines – VR experience.” Visitors stepped into 360° panoramas from the project 360war.in.ua, seeing liberated towns and cities scarred by Russian occupation and shelling, documented by panoramic photographer Dmytro Malyshev and his team.
Together with Ukraїner, guests explored 360° videos from across Ukraine – from Cossack martial arts to contemporary crafts – and listened to Crimean Tatars and other Crimeans revisiting their homeland through virtual reality. Another VR segment, created with the Kyiv Digital tourist and cultural hub, showed how Kyiv is digitising its museums and historic sites to protect them from air strikes while helping residents navigate bombardment, shelters, and essential services during the war.

We also talked about diversity, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights: “Embracing Diversity: Ukraine’s Non-colonial Model of Multiculturalism” and “From the Frontlines to Forefront – The Changing Face of Womanhood and LGBTQ+ Rights in Ukraine” talks highlighted how women and LGBTQ+ people are defending Ukraine and driving democratic change even under full-scale invasion.
For Ukrainian Dialogues, Folkemødet 2023 was an opportunity to place Ukrainian stories, images, and voices at the heart of a major Danish democracy festival, connecting high-level debates on Europe’s future with the concrete reality of destroyed homes, cultural resilience, and the immense work of rebuilding Ukraine.