Yuriy Yakymenko: Ukraine’s role in transatlantic relations

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022, initially exposed a clear divide between the democratic and autocratic worlds. The United States, the European Union and other democratic partners demonstrated remarkable unity in providing Ukraine with political, economic and military support.

However, the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election has significantly altered the dynamics of transatlantic relations, undermining mutual trust and partnership between Washington and Brussels. Above all, it has marked a shift in US foreign policy priorities, with Washington stepping back from its traditional role as leader of the free world and champion of democracy and freedom.

This approach was formalised in the new National Security Strategy (NSS), published in December 2025. The strategy places US interests above all else, reflecting an increasingly authoritarian style of governance and a greater reliance on political and economic coercion in international affairs. The strong transatlantic partnership, which for decades had underpinned peace and security not only in Europe but globally, was no longer regarded as essential to US national security.

One of the strategy’s most controversial features for many US partners—above all Ukraine—was its approach to russia. Rather than portraying Moscow as the principal strategic adversary, the NSS presents russia as a challenge that can be managed, primarily through renewed diplomatic engagement and efforts to achieve “strategic stability”. For countries that have long been subjected to harsh russian pressure, this represented a significant departure from previous US strategies and highlighted a widening transatlantic divergence in perceptions of the principal global security threats.

In the end, it was Europe that proved more resilient in defending universal values. Ukraine, by remaining steadfast in its legitimate demands and refusing to make concessions to the aggressor, helped Europe embrace its global civilisational mission in the new geopolitical realities—a mission that has become central to the rethinking of Europe’s identity. Developments related to Ukraine have also made one thing clear: as the United States distances itself from Europe and gradually reduces its commitment to European security, solidarity and mutual responsibility among European countries become increasingly important.

The prospect of a diminished US security umbrella has revived the debate on Europe’s strategic autonomy and security self-sufficiency. It has prompted European leaders to reassess strategic priorities and launch wide-ranging reforms across a wide range of policy areas, from security to humanitarian policy. In the security sphere, this has resulted in initiatives such as the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, the ReArm Europe Plan, and related measures.

These shifts were reflected in the EU’s policy towards Ukraine. European leaders assumed a more prominent role in dialogue with the United States on pathways to peace in the russia-Ukraine war, while Europe expanded military assistance by financing arms procurement for Kyiv, maintained strong economic support, and formally launched Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

For its part, Ukraine has worked closely with the EU while maintaining constructive relations with the US administration, seeking to remain a bridge rather than a source of division in transatlantic relations. Moreover, Ukraine’s unique experience of modern warfare and its advances in defence technologies—particularly in the development and deployment of unmanned systems—are already contributing to the security of NATO Allies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ukraine’s new role in European and Euro-Atlantic security has yet to be fully understood and assessed. Even so, one conclusion is already clear: the future of European security—and, with it, the resilience of European democracy—will depend not only on modern weapons and capable armed forces, but also on the strength and cohesion of the barrier that Europe builds against Russia from north to south. In a broader civilisational sense, Europe’s unity in supporting Ukraine is also about preserving its own identity and the values of the free democratic world.

Continued support for Ukraine will strengthen Europe’s strategic security today and in the years ahead. At the same time, it will help secure Ukraine’s recovery as a democratic state, fully integrated into the European Union’s common security and economic space. For Ukraine, this is ultimately about defeating the aggressor and continuing to develop as a full and equal member of the European Union.