The Ukraine–NATO Civil Society Advisory Network has been launched as a platform bringing together representatives of the Ukrainian government, NATO, the security and defence sector, civil society organisations, and the expert community.
The Network is intended to strengthen civil society’s involvement in shaping decisions related to Euro-Atlantic integration and to ensure continuous dialogue with partners.
Anna Gvozdiar, Adviser to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, emphasised that the Network’s activities should be focused on delivering tangible results.
“The value of the Advisory Network lies not only in whom it brings together. What matters is what remains after our meetings: joint recommendations, new partnerships, and solutions that can genuinely be implemented. This Network should become not just another platform where we talk about NATO, but a space where we work together with NATO,” said Ms Gvozdiar.
According to her, Ukraine is not only receiving assistance but is also sharing combat experience, battle-tested technologies, and the ability to introduce innovations rapidly with its partners.
“Our partnership must work both ways: not only assistance, but joint solutions; not only supplies, but joint production; not only information exchange, but shared responsibility for our future security,” the Adviser to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine stated.
For his part, Andrii Pravednyk, Ambassador-at-Large at the NATO Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasised the importance of coordination among the government, experts, and civil society on matters of Euro-Atlantic integration.
“For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is important to support platforms that bring together government institutions, think tanks, and civil society around strategic issues of Euro-Atlantic integration,” Andrii Pravednyk said.
Serhii Solodkyi, Director of the New Europe Center, noted that the initiative effectively restores the tradition of systematic dialogue and cooperation among the expert community, civil society, and Ukraine’s partners.
“We can see that the Allies are increasingly listening to Ukraine and that support for our country is becoming more practical. This is precisely why platforms like this should help transform a shared vision into concrete decisions and actions necessary for Ukraine’s further progress towards NATO membership,” Serhii Solodkyi stated.
Meanwhile, Joseph Dobbs, Head of Political Affairs at the NATO Representation to Ukraine, highlighted the unique role of Ukrainian civil society in advancing reforms, supporting democratic transformation, and strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
“In recent years, we have seen Ukraine demonstrate an extraordinary capacity for innovation, generating new ideas, and finding solutions. A significant part of these changes has emerged through cooperation between government institutions and civil society. This is why initiatives such as the Ukraine–NATO Civil Society Advisory Network are extremely important for shaping the future of our relations and jointly exploring new formats of cooperation,” Joseph Dobbs emphasised.
The Advisory Network was established with the participation of the ANTS National Interests Advocacy Network, the New Europe Center, the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, and the NATO Representation to Ukraine.