The YES Board met in Kyiv and visited Odesa to prepare for theYES Annual Meeting

The Yalta European Strategy (YES) members of the Board held a series of meetings in Kyiv and Odesa. The purpose of the meetings is to prepare the agenda for theYES Annual Meeting, which will take place on 11-12 September 2026 in Kyiv.

YES Board was represented by Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of Poland (1995–2005), Chairman of the Board of YES; Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia (2016-2021); Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden (2006-2014); Prime Minister of Sweden (1991-1994); Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland (2019–2023); Victor Pinchuk, Founder of EastOne group, Founder of Victor Pinchuk Foundation, and Stéphane Fouks, Executive Vice-President Havas Group, Executive Chairman H/Advisors.

The meetings were focused on the challenges and opportunities for Ukraine and Europe amid the ongoing war and the changing international security architecture. Particular attention was paid to the role of Ukrainian military innovations and technologies in strengthening the security of Ukraine and all of Europe, as well as the prospects for achieving a just and sustainable peace.

During the visit, high-level meetings were held with Ukrainian officials, including Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Yulia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine; Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine; Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine; representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society, as well as military personnel and veterans.

The programme also included a visit to the National Preserve Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was recently damaged by a Russian attack. 

YES Board also visited Odesa and held a meeting with Oleh Kiper, Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, followed by a visit to the Odesa City Commercial Port, where they learned about the operation of the port infrastructure during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A dedicated part of the programme was a visit to the RECOVERY rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers.

Photos are available here