On December 6, Kyiv hosted the All-Ukrainian Conservative Policy Forum “Security. Values. Prosperity,” which brought together over 400 Ukrainian conservatives and representatives from American think tanks. For example, The Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. The forum aimed to strengthen cooperation between conservative movements in Ukraine and the United States and to establish a shared vision of “right-wing” values among Ukrainian conservatives.
Notably, this event marked the first visit of representatives from these U.S. think tanks to Ukraine since Donald Trump’s election victory in the United States.
Objective: The All-Ukrainian Conservative Policy Forum “Security. Values. Prosperity”
Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. elections reshaped the global political landscape, placing conservative values at the forefront. Faith, family traditions, individualism, and a free-market economy are the main values of the Republicans. Ukraine, one of Europe’s most conservative nations, aims to demonstrate to its strategic ally that its principles and values align with those of the United States.
The forum organizers, representing Ukrainian civil society, sought to forge stronger connections between Ukrainian and American conservatives. It’s an essential step considering the evolving policy priorities of the Trump administration. “We must collaborate with key U.S. think tanks to convey the truth about Ukraine’s conservative movement and its role in defending shared values,” emphasized forum participants.
Janae Stacke, a representative of The Heritage Foundation, noted, “I am most impressed by the conservative movement in Ukraine, which is rarely covered in American media. You are fighting for religious freedom and family values, and this is far more pronounced in Ukraine than many Americans realize.”
U.S. Participation and Its Significance
The participation of American delegates in the forum underscores their willingness and readiness to establish horizontal partnerships with Ukrainian society, civil leaders, and charitable organizations.
Key Topics Discussed at the Conservative Forum
Throughout the day, forum participants deliberated on:
- The conservative values of Ukrainians;
- The role of the family, community, and church;
- Economic challenges during the war and recovery prospects;
- Deepening allied relations between Ukraine and the U.S.
The discussions included contributions from Ukrainian politicians, civil society representatives, military personnel, economists, religious leaders, chaplains, and American think-tank experts. A symbolic moment of the event was a joint prayer for Ukraine and its defenders at the “Temple of Peace,” where the forum was held.
Economic Recovery as a Central Theme
Economic issues and business development in Ukraine were key topics of discussion. Yana Matviychuk, an economic rights advocate and entrepreneur, moderated a panel discussion on “The War Economy and Recovery.” Participants included:
- Yaroslav Romanchuk, President of the International Institute of Freedom and economist;
- Taras Zahorodniy, managing partner of the “National Anti-Crisis Group”;
- Serhiy Voitsekhovskyi, Board Member of BGV Group;
- Mark Kistelboim, representative of the Ukrainian Recovery Alliance;
- Ihor Fomenko, Head of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine Defense Group.
Yana Matviychuk highlighted critical economic challenges, stating:
“Beyond the war, Ukraine faces other economic threats: the absence of the rule of law, an overregulated defense industry, energy problems, a lack of openness to investment, and excessive bureaucratic costs. Firstly, we need a diversified arms industry developed within Ukraine. Secondly, while we hear in the media about Republicans urging Ukraine to open its resources to private U.S. capital, we must consider whether we are ready for foreign investments in resource extraction. Thirdly, the civilian bureaucracy’s spending remains unchanged since the full-scale war began, even as our wartime economy must mobilize every possible resource.”
Preparation for Ukrainian Week 2025 in the U.S.
The forum was a significant milestone in preparing for Ukrainian Week in Washington, scheduled for February 2025, with over 1,000 attendees expected. This initiative aims to further develop Ukrainian-American partnerships, showcasing the conservative unity of both nations.
Pavlo Unguryan, Coordinator of the Ukrainian-American Partnership, emphasized:
“Over the past six months, Western civilization has gravitated toward traditionalism. Hard times demand reliance on stable, time-tested values such as faith, family, patriotism, hard work, and respect for elders—elements that form the foundation of strong societies.”
The All-Ukrainian Conservative Policy Forum was not just a platform for exchanging ideas but also a crucial step in strengthening the global conservative movement to counter modern threats.
