Kira Rudik and Salome Zourabichvili Discuss Lessons for Ukraine at the Black Sea Security Forum

At the Black Sea Security Forum, Ukrainian Member of Parliament Kira Rudik joined former President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili for a discussion on the lessons Ukraine can draw from Georgia’s experience in confronting russian aggression and defending its democratic future. The conversation focused on several challenges that both countries have faced, including the impossibility of conducting democratic elections during wartime, russia’s long-standing strategy of creating and sustaining so-called “frozen conflicts,” and the use of hybrid and information warfare to undermine democratic institutions. A significant part of the discussion addressed the international response to russian aggression. Drawing on Georgia’s experience, the speakers reflected on the consequences of delayed and insufficient reactions by the democratic world. “russia’s imperial ambitions did not begin in 2014,” Rudik noted. “The warning signs were visible much earlier. In 2008, russia occupied part of Georgia, and the response from the international community was not strong enough to deter future aggression.” The discussion underscored a lesson that remains highly relevant today: the cost of ignoring aggression only grows over time. Participants also discussed the importance of maintaining democratic resilience, strengthening international partnerships, and ensuring that Ukraine’s future is firmly anchored within the Euro-Atlantic community. The key message of the discussion was clear: lasting peace can only be achieved through strength, deterrence, unity, and the willingness of democracies to defend themselves and one another.