--- title: "Ine Eriksen Søreide: - The future of Ukraine is Europe's future" description: Europe cannot afford to treat Russia's war against Ukraine as the new normal. That was the clear message from political leaders and Ukrainian representatives during the session The future of Ukraine is our future at the Defence and Security Conference. While support for Ukraine remains essential, speakers also argued that Europe has much to learn from Ukraine's experience in resilience, innovation and preparedness. image: https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(241).jpg --- [![NORDSEC-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png?width=300&height=100&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png "NORDSEC-logo")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en) - [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news) - Events - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events) - Members - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members) - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership) - [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - About NORDSEC - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact) - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter) - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/) [![Nordsec\_logo\_and\_tag\_white\_side\_pb\_oransj-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png?width=240&height=73&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png "Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en) [![NORDSEC-logo](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png?width=300&height=100&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj.png "NORDSEC-logo")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en) - [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news) - Events - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events) - Members - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members) - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership) - [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - About NORDSEC - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact) - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter) - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/) [![Nordsec\_logo\_and\_tag\_white\_side\_pb\_oransj-1](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png?width=240&height=73&name=Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1.png "Nordsec_logo_and_tag_white_side_pb_oransj-1")](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/?hsLang=en) - [News](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news) - Events - [Forsvarskonferansen - NORDSEC Defence and Security Conference](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - [NORDSEC events](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/events) - Members - [Members](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/members) - [Membership](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/membership) - [Forsvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/) - About NORDSEC - [Contact](https://www.nordsec-conference.no/contact) - [Newsletter](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/newsletter) - [Test facilities](https://testination.io/) ## Ine Eriksen Søreide: - The future of Ukraine is Europe's future [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/author/lars-bugge-aarset) Sep 29, 2026, 3:10:57 PM **Europe cannot afford to treat Russia's war against Ukraine as the new normal. That was the clear message from political leaders and Ukrainian representatives during the session *The future of Ukraine is our future* at the Nordic Defence and Security Conference. While support for Ukraine remains essential, speakers also argued that Europe has much to learn from Ukraine's experience in resilience, innovation and preparedness.** When Conservative Party leader **Ine Eriksen Søreide** took the stage, she reflected on how dramatically Europe's security environment has changed in little more than a decade. As Norway's newly appointed minister of defence in 2013, she attended her first NATO ministerial meeting where Russia's defence minister was welcomed as a guest of honour. Looking back, she argued that Europe repeatedly missed opportunities to respond to increasingly aggressive Russian behaviour. Putin's Munich speech in 2007, the war against Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014 all pointed in the same direction. Western leaders underestimated both Putin's ambitions and his willingness to use military force to achieve political goals. > *"The only language Putin and Russia understand is a language of power," Søreide said.* She warned that Russia's strategic objectives have not changed despite years of war and heavy losses, and argued that European countries must avoid confusing concessions with peace. > *"To capitulate is not peace. And for an aggressor to demand to keep the land you've stolen is not peace."* According to Søreide, support for Ukraine is about more than solidarity. It is about preserving the European security order that has underpinned stability on the continent for decades. ![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (190) (1)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(190)%20(1).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(190)%20(1).jpg) ## We don't have all the time in the world A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the risk of complacency. As the war enters its fifth year, Søreide warned against allowing the conflict to become background noise in European politics. While public attention shifts between crises, Russia continues to adapt, learn and expand its military capabilities. > *"We don't have all the time in the world."* She pointed to significant differences in support levels across Europe and warned that geographical distance can create a false sense of security. The consequences of the war, she argued, will be felt across the continent regardless of national borders. Her concerns were echoed by **Eivind Vad Petersson**, State Secretary in Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Having recently visited Ukraine, Petersson described a society that continues to function despite living under constant military pressure. During his trip, the train carrying the Norwegian delegation had to be evacuated near the Polish border after a Russian drone attack struck another train nearby. For Norwegians it was a dramatic incident. For Ukrainians it was another ordinary reminder of life during war. ![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (201)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(201).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(201).jpg) Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary in Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ## Ukraine is not just receiving support Petersson argued that the relationship between Norway and Ukraine is increasingly becoming a two-way partnership rather than a one-way support effort. The recently signed strategic partnership between the two countries is built around defence, energy and resilience, areas where Europe increasingly looks to Ukraine for practical experience and lessons learned. > *"We have absolutely something to learn from the Ukrainians."* From drone warfare and battlefield adaptation to energy security and civil preparedness, Ukraine has accumulated expertise that many European countries now recognise as strategically valuable. Petersson also highlighted how rapidly warfare is evolving. Innovation cycles that once took years are now measured in weeks, particularly in the drone sector, where capabilities can become obsolete almost overnight. > *"The next war will either way look different."* Several speakers argued that this reality should influence how European governments think about defence capabilities and industrial policy. Flexible production capacity may prove more important than stockpiles of technology that quickly become outdated, while closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence industries could benefit both sides. ![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (207)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(207).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(207).jpg) Ivan Fedorov, former head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration and now head of Ukraine's State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development ## Resilience has become part of warfare The Ukrainian perspective was reinforced by **Ivan Fedorov**, former head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration and now head of Ukraine's State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development. In a recorded message, he described the daily reality of missile and drone attacks against civilian targets and critical infrastructure. > *"Resilience is now part of war."* Fedorov highlighted the importance of shelters, protected energy systems and the ability to maintain essential public services during sustained attacks. These are lessons, he argued, that will become increasingly relevant for other European countries as they adapt to a more challenging security environment. ![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (233)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(233).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(233).jpg) That view was shared by **Oleksiy Gavrysh**, Ukraine's ambassador to Norway, who argued that preparedness begins long before a crisis occurs. > *"The first important stage of preparedness is a correct risk assessment and correct risk identification."* Gavrysh said Ukraine is ready to share its experience with European partners, drawing on hard-earned lessons in everything from civil preparedness and infrastructure protection to emerging threats and risk management. He also highlighted the newly established strategic partnership between Norway and Ukraine, describing it as a genuine two-way relationship built around defence, energy and resilience. ![Forsvarskonferansen 2026 - Foto Lars Bugge Aarset Fremtidens Industri (245) (1)](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(245)%20(1).jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Forsvarskonferansen%202026%20-%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20(245)%20(1).jpg) ## More than a war about Ukraine Despite approaching the issue from different perspectives, the speakers agreed on one central point: support for Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in European security. Søreide called for stronger cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence industries and argued that Ukraine's ability to innovate, scale production and adapt rapidly under wartime conditions makes it an increasingly valuable partner. Petersson echoed the need for greater speed in procurement, industrial cooperation and capability development, noting that technological change is now moving faster than traditional acquisition processes. The discussion ultimately returned to the title of the session itself. Ukraine's future is not only about Ukraine. The outcome of the war will help shape the security, resilience and stability of Europe for decades to come. If Russia succeeds, it risks reinforcing the belief that military force can be used to achieve political goals. If Ukraine prevails, it will demonstrate that aggression comes at a cost. As Søreide warned, Europe cannot afford to look away. [Ukraine](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/ukraine), [Oleksiy Gavrysh](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/oleksiy-gavrysh), [Forssvarskonferansen](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/forssvarskonferansen), [Ivan Fedorov](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/ivan-fedorov), [Ine Eriksen Søreide](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/ine-eriksen-søreide), [Eivind Vad Petersson](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/tag/eivind-vad-petersson) ## Read On ### [SMEs could become Europe’s fastest defence advantage Europe is pouring billions into defence. Yet many of the companies developing tomorrow's...](https://www.nordsec-cluster.no/en/news/smes-at-the-centre-what-europe-can-learn-from-ukraines-innovation-ecosystem?hsLang=en) ### [The Summer Is Over: Ukraine’s message to Europe is simple: Move faster Europe has spent years discussing defence, innovation and preparedness. 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