"EU. BUT THERE’S ONE TWIST" – Vox Ukraine invites you to a conference on Ukraine’s path to the EU

“EU. BUT THERE’S ONE TWIST” – Vox Ukraine invites you to a conference on Ukraine’s path to the EU

19 May 2025
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On May 23 in Kyiv, Vox Ukraine will hold a conference focused on Ukraine’s strengths and the challenges it faces on the road to EU membership. We are bringing together those who are driving change — in communities, government, media, and business. Those who ask uncomfortable questions and look for the right answers. At this event, we’re uniting people who are not afraid to take on responsibility and to learn from their own mistakes. “EU. BUT THERE’S ONE TWIST.” is a space for open dialogue, experience sharing, and building meaningful partnerships. 

In the 11 years since the Revolution of Dignity, we have undergone transformations that have brought us closer to Europe — in some cases, even closer than certain EU member states. In some areas, Ukraine is no longer trying to “catch up” with Europe but is setting new standards for the continent.

Ukraine is not Europe’s “poor relative.” We are a key factor in its security and a driver of change that can significantly enhance the EU’s competitiveness and geopolitical role. Our institutions are growing stronger despite constant shelling. We’ve shown what social mobilization can look like without totalitarianism. We have implemented more reforms in ten years than some countries have in thirty. BUT the road to the EU is still long.

At the conference, we’ll take a sober look at where things are. What is holding back European integration? What changes does the EU expect from Ukraine — and how does the EU plan to change? How can we leverage our strengths to help transform Europe?

This is more than just a conference — it’s a space for open exchange of ideas and experience, and for collaboration among those who are not afraid to take on responsibility. The event will bring together representatives of the government, civil society, expert community, and media to talk not only about achievements, but also about the systemic challenges of EU integration. It will be a lively, honest dialogue, grounded in the experience of people who are driving change in the country.

The program includes:

  • Open interview;
  • Panel discussions on the challenges of European integration, institutional adaptability, digital transformation, and military resilience;
  • Values-based reflection;
  • Interactive installation with an open microphone.

Stay tuned for updates — the full program will be announced soon.

When: May 23, 2025, 13:30–20:30

Location: Kyiv (venue details will be shared with registered participants)

Registration: forms.gle/RJ7D1AHLL5g1FgwM8

Follow the announcements: facebook.com/share/1BEpeuxFvX/

The event is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.

Media partners of the event – Suspilne, Radio NV

Conference program

Time Part
13:30–14:00  Registration of participants, welcome coffee
14:00– 14:15  Welcome address by Maksym Skubenko, CEO of Vox Ukraine (online)
14:20– 14:50  Open interview “Growth point: about joint progress in reconstruction and reforms”

Guests: 

Olena Shulyak, Member of Parliament, Chair of the Committee on State Power Organization, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning

Moderator: Yurii Tabachenko, Radio Ukraine

14:50–

15:20

Open interview “Experience of integration: how Poland went through the path that Ukraine is currently following’”

Guest:

Piotr Łukasiewicz, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine 

Moderator: Oleh Biletskyi, Radio.NV

15:25–

16:10

Panel discussion “Military Resilience and 21st Century Tactics”

Participants: 

Maria Berlinska, Victory Drones

​Kateryna Mykhalko, Tech Force in UA 

​Oleksandr Kubrakov, Advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine 

Moderator: Anastasia Svitlevska, Ukrinform

16:15-17:10 Panel discussion “Between intention and result”

Participants:

Ruslan Prykhodko, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine

​Oleksandra Azarkhina, co-founder of We Build Ukraine, Former Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine​

Natalia Husak, Head of the National Health Service of Ukraine

Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization​.

Moderator: Svitlana Tkachuk, Ukrinform

17:10-17:30 Coffee break
17:30– 18:00  Panel discussion: “Co-Creators of Change: International Cooperation in a Time of Major Transformation”

Participants:

Olesya Zaluska, Economic Engagement Director, Mercy Corps Ukraine ​

​Inna Pidluska, Deputy Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation.

Moderator: Tatiana Pasova, Ukrinform

18:05– 18:20  Public presentation of the EU Digital Identity Wallet 

Speaker:

​Illya Rodin, Chief Solution Architect, Diia Project

18:25– 19:10  Panel discussion “Not just about reforms: innovations and best practice”

Participants:

Tetiana Prykhodko, Head of GovTech Observatory, GGTC Kyiv

​Artem Mykhailyuk, Head of Diia.Engine; Advisor to the Minister of Digital Transformation​

Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization​

Karina Kudryavtseva, Head of Strategic Development, EIT Community Hub

Moderator: Vladyslav Hreziev, Founder and CEO, Lobby X

19:10– 19:15  Closing remarks
19:15 – 20:30  Dinner & conversation

 

Attention

The authors do not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have no relevant affiliations