Introduction - Safeguarding Ukraine's Future Conference

Conference summary report: https://natoassociation.ca/safeguardi...

On May 31st, the NATO Association of Canada hosted the “Safeguarding Ukraine’s Future: Security Guarantees and Demining for Recovery & Reconstruction” conference, a powerful full-day conference bringing together diplomats, defense experts, business leaders, and humanitarian voices to explore Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, security guarantees, and the critical importance of demining as a foundation for long-term recovery and reconstruction.

Throughout the day, we engaged with key questions surrounding Ukraine’s path toward NATO membership, the viability and design of intermediary security guarantees, and the urgent need for large-scale demining to enable economic revival, foreign investment, and peacebuilding efforts. From real-time tactical challenges to big-picture policy frameworks, each panel provided timely, thoughtful insights to guide Canada’s ongoing role in Ukraine’s future.

We were honoured to feature a special video message from Oleksandra Matviichuk, followed by a compelling keynote address by Diane Francis.

Our speaker lineup included Ambassador Kovaliv Yuliya, Dr. Alexander Lanoszka, Dr. Balkan Devlen, PhD, General Ben Hodges, and Robert Baines, who moderated the first panel on NATO membership and intermediary security guarantees. Panel two, focused on security and investment, was moderated by Mark Vytvytskyy 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 and featured insights from Roman Kachur, Roman Shimonov, and Zenon Potichny. Panel three, dedicated to demining and post-war recovery, was moderated by Lesya Alexandra Granger and featured powerful contributions from His Excellency Ambassador Egidijus Meilūnas, Alexander Landry, Markian Kchik, Tymur Pistriuha, and Yulia Koba.

We are especially grateful to Bogdana Torbina for her exceptional work as Conference Chair and the NAOC team for making this event a reality.

A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors, donors, and partners who made this event possible: Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, Embassy of Ukraine to Canada | Посольство України в Канаді, Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto, University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and Mriya Aid, with generous support from our Gold Sponsor: Temerty Group, Silver Sponsors: Med-Eng , Peterson Literary Fund, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited, and Bronze Sponsors: BCU Financial Group - Buduchnist CU, Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars and our Honourable Donor: Kathryn E. Langley Hope & Trisha A. Langley Estate.

Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding Ukraine’s future by supporting lasting peace, effective security frameworks, and a mine-free foundation for recovery, where communities can rebuild and flourish without the threat of war.