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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
11-12 September in Kyiv an annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) took place, organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation. This year the conference was held under the slogan “Peace through strength now,” according to a reporter for Glavkom.
The forum was attended by more than 700 representatives from 28 countries. The international audience consisted of 311 participants – 44,5% of the total. The largest foreign guests were from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Poland.
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson
photo: glavcom.ua
Over two days participants discussed the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war and prospects for its end, the security of Ukraine and Europe, the development of defense technologies, the economy, and further European integration of Ukraine.
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Photo report by Glavkom about the main participants, speakers, and events of YES-2026
photo: glavcom.ua
Among the participants and speakers were Ukrainian and foreign politicians, government officials, military personnel, diplomats, business representatives, and experts.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Korietsky and his predecessor Yulia Sviridenko
photo: glavcom.ua
Before the conference, in particular, joined were Prime Minister Serhiy Korietsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radoslav Sikorsky, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, former Prime Ministers Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Volodymyr Hroysman, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Ihor Klymenko, and Minister of Economy Oleksandr Kravchenko.
Two former Ukrainian prime ministers Volodymyr Hroysman and Arseniy Yatsenyuk
photo: glavcom.ua
One of the central themes of the conference was the frontline situation and the changing nature of modern warfare. Commander of the Third Army Corps Andriy Biletsky stated that the Ukrainian front is currently not in the “most difficult times” and has chances not only to hold the current line but also to improve positions.
Generals and corps commanders were also able to join discussions online
photo: glavcom.ua
Commander of the 13-th brigade of the National Guard “Charter” Ihor Obolenko spoke about the increasingly important role of underground combat and the rapid development of military technologies. Commander of the DShV Oleg Apostol emphasized scaling the use of drones by Russia and warned of the risk of further aggression by the Russian Federation.
It is worth noting that 23-year-old daughter of Viktor and Olena Pinchuk Kateryna, as well as the granddaughter of former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, came to Kyiv and attended the annual YES meeting. As is known, Kateryna Pinchuk currently lives in the United States and studies at Yale University — one of the most prestigious American universities that belongs to the Ivy League. The elder daughter of the Pinchuks was among the guests of the event, and she wore a YES participant badge.
Granddaughter of Leonid Kuchma Kateryna Pinchuk arrived in Kyiv in the midst of the war
photo: glavcom.ua
Commander of the 1-th regiment of the Azov National Guard, known by the call sign Redis, spoke separately about the situation on the Dobropillia direction and the possible change in Russian forces’ tactics in the fall. Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yevhen Lasiichuk spoke about expanding the area of engagement on the battlefield and the prospect of replacing people with robotic systems.
The Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko was also present at the conference
photo: glavcom.ua
A lot of attention was given to diplomacy as well. Special envoy of the U.S. president Jared Kushner spoke about negotiations with the Russian side and called the territorial issue one of the most difficult. According to him, the United States is seeking a settlement option that would allow the parties to emerge from the principled dispute.
Jared Kushner was able to join the discussion, but online
photo: glavcom.ua
Viktor Pinchuk himself, at the opening of YES, stated that Ukraine and its partners have a unique window of opportunity to increase pressure on Russia. He urged to shield Ukrainian sky this winter as much as possible and to use military and technological advantages to achieve peace.
Billionaire Viktor Pinchuk, who organized the event
photo: glavcom.ua
Another highlight of the forum was the presentation of a new work by British artist Banksy. He created a large canvas based on his famous graffiti in Borodianka, where a Ukrainian boy in a kimono defeats an adult opponent in judo. The piece was unveiled at the opening of the conference and is planned to be shown later at PinchukArtCentre.
Painting “Boy in a kimono defeats the adult opponent in judo”
photo: glavcom.ua
The conference also discussed Ukraine’s economic resilience. Head of the Parliamentary Budget Committee Roksolana Podlasa stated that the daily cost of the war for Ukraine has risen from $140 million in 2024 year to $190 million in 2026-year. Economy Minister Oleksandr Kravchenko emphasized the need for international financing, state support, and attracting private capital to get through the winter and restore the economy.
Among the attendees was the fifth president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko
photo: glavcom.ua
Online participation also joined the YES work. In particular, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the conference remotely.
The president was present online
photo: glavcom.ua
Among the conference guests was Kateryna, the elder daughter of Viktor and Olena Pinchuk. Also in Kyiv was the fifth president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, although he was not a YES participant — the politician held an international meeting in the conference lobby.
It is worth noting that President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the first results of the negotiation process could appear as early as the end of September. According to him, Ukraine continues to hold consultations with international partners.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that in the near future one should not expect productive negotiations directly with Russia. According to him, the situation could change after 18-20 September, when parliamentary elections in Russia will be completed. Earlier, media citing sources in the Elysée Palace also reported that Putin may be ready for a new phase of negotiations after Russia’s elections.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Військові, політики, мільярдери та онучка Кучми: як пройшла YES-2026 у Києві. Фоторепортаж". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: ZmiOne.
