Thursday 24 July 2025, 2pm-3pm (BST)

Looking back at our last Ukraine update on 28 January, it is quite extraordinary how much has changed. The one constant is the Russian regime’s appetite to kill and maim Ukrainians indiscriminately.

We have witnessed the US Ambassador to the UN vote with such stalwarts of democracy as Russia, Iran and North Korea on a motion on the war (even China could only go so far as to abstain); President Trump’s bromance with Putin; a halt to US material support for Ukraine; and the infamous ambush at the White House.

Trump failed to live up to his boast that he could bring peace in 24 hours and, rather than being tough on Russia, has piled in on Ukraine and the US’s European allies.

On the plus side, Ukraine has taught us a huge amount about national resilience and pulled off a remarkable military coup – destroying a large proportion of the Russian Air Force’s strategic capability – a reminder that, despite Trump’s assurance to the contrary, Ukraine still has cards to play.

Where does this leave us now? Can Ukraine continue to stand up to Russia? How does Europe – and the UK – realign its security strategy with questions hanging over the US’s continuing commitment to the Continent’s security? Will Europe (including the UK) step up to provide the assistance Ukraine needs? And what are the implications for cyberspace and our online security?

Chaired by

Tarquin Folliss OBE (info), Vice Chairman, The SASIG

Facilitated by

Dr Melanie Garson (info), Associate Professor in International Security, University College London (UCL)

Panellists include

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon OBE (info), Independent Director
Malcolm Warr OBE (info), Chairman, CNI Scotland
Lesia Orobets, Founder of the ‘Safe Sky for Ukraine’ Initiative and former member of the Ukrainian Parliament
Laura Brady, Ukraine/Russia analyst and Head of Reporting, Earendel Associates
Serhii Yevchuk (info), CEO, FS Group