Post-war Ukraine Holds the Key to European Defence

Proactive engagement with Kyiv may shape European deterrence

5 August 2026

Europe must be able to defend itself without Uncle Sam’s sword and shield. Ukraine can help – but the groundwork must begin now.

The author is a defence expert, a member of the Slovak National Council and deputy chairman of Progressive Slovakia. This article was originally published in Slovak by Denník N.

Nobody came to blows and nobody quarrelled much during the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara. The allies announced the continuation of aid to Ukraine, an increase in budgets and strengthening of European forces so that NATO can cope with the reduction of American personnel and equipment in Europe.

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Tomáš Valášek

Tomáš Valášek is a Slovak diplomat and politician. From 2013 to 2017 he served as Slovakia's ambassador to NATO. A member of the National Council since 2020, Valášek had served as the director of Carnegie Europe in 2017-2020.

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