On September 13-14, 2024, Kyiv hosted the 20th Annual Meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES), an event that gathers political leaders, diplomats, military officials, civil society activists, and experts from around the globe to discuss the future of Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
From 2004 to 2013, the YES Annual Forum was held at the Livadia Palace in Yalta, a historic venue where Europe was divided in 1945 but later became a symbol of the unification of a broader Europe. Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the meetings were relocated to Kyiv.
This year, more than 700 participants from over 30 countries convened under the aegis of YES to discuss key strategic issues, including support for Ukraine and the urgent need to defeat Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska participated in the discussions, sharing their vision for Ukraine’s and Europe’s future.
“Ending this war is essential for us. Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, has no need to end it.”
— Volodymyr Zelensky
The YES Forum 2024 also welcomed prominent French political figures, including Gabriel Attal, Member of Parliament and President of the Ensemble pour la République group in the National Assembly, Benjamin Haddad, MP for Paris’s 14th constituency, Valérie Hayer, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Renew Europe Group, and Anne Genetet, MP for French citizens living abroad. They reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom and sovereignty.
“France supports you and your right to defend yourselves. I believe that if we slow down, we admit our weakness against Russia. Europe is mortal, and this war is a test of truth. Ukraine represents freedom, and it is European by its history, culture, and geography. It has consistently chosen democracy.”
— Gabriel Attal
The central theme of the 20th edition of the YES Forum was “The Necessity to Win”, focusing on critical topics such as “Europe’s Moment of Truth,” “Ukraine’s Role in Building a Secure World,” and “Why We Must Defeat This Enemy.” These discussions highlighted the challenges Europe and the world face in confronting Russian aggression and emphasized the need to strengthen Western policies to support Ukraine.
Stand With Ukraine participated in the forum, engaging with many influential figures in attendance. The organization advocates for closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian cities, emphasizing the importance of cultural, educational, and economic exchanges to support Ukraine’s resilience.
The 20th YES Forum reaffirmed the commitment of Western nations to stand with Ukraine. The strong support from European leaders and open discussions about current challenges underscored that Ukraine is not alone in its fight against Russian aggression. The forum made it clear that continued and expanded support for Ukraine is essential.
You can watch the replay of the Yalta European Strategy Forum here:
Photographs provided by VictorPinchukFoundation©2024 and @YES2024. Photos by PRYZM (Nicolas Lobet, Valentyna Rostovikova, Frederic Garrido-Ramirez) and Oleksandr Piliugin.
