ECFR Alumni · Visiting Fellow
Ukraine’s security and defence, reforms process and democratic development in Ukraine; human rights; EU-Ukraine relations
English, Ukrainian, Polish (can read and understand)
Margaryta Khvostova was a visiting fellow with the Wider Europe programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Her research focused on security and defence, human rights, and Ukraine’s democratic development and integration into EU and NATO structures.
Khvostova is an advocacy manager at the Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition, a group of leading NGOs that promotes reforms and good governance in Ukraine. Prior to that, she was a lecturer in international relations at the Lazarski University in Warsaw.
She has published extensively on human rights and identity and nation-building processes in Ukraine and other eastern European countries.
Vladimir Putin’s mobilisation is a sign of desperation. Yet Ukraine will still need weapons deliveries to help respond to the arrival of thousands of Russian conscripts.
Ukraine has lured a significant number of Russian troops south – but the country still needs significant help on arms deliveries
Ukraine has proven that it can counter Russian military tactics and strategy. To continue to do so, the country will require greater support from the West.
Ukraine will need more advanced heavy weapons if it is to conduct an effective large-scale counter-offensive against Russia. The West can help in two main ways.
If the West truly wants Ukraine to win, and quickly, it should urgently intensify its supply of weapons to the country
Ukraine’s Western partners now recognise that it can defeat Russia. Yet they need to provide the guarantees of long-term support that will make this a reality.
Russia’s new offensive in Ukraine calls for a change in the Western response. NATO countries should supply the Ukrainian military with advanced systems and the training to use them.
A prolonged confrontation would help Russia regroup and adapt. The quicker Ukraine receives more military support from its allies, the greater its chances of driving Russian forces out of its territory.
Many more Ukrainians want to defend their country than have the weapons to do so. An increase in Western military support is vital to Ukraine’s survival.
In this war, Ukrainians have proved that they belong in the European family. Yet they need far more support from their partners – including modern air defence systems – as they fight to protect the democratic world.
Now that the European Commission has opened up accession negotiations for Ukraine, Kyiv should use careful diplomacy to contend with potential opposition from Budapest
To arm Ukraine for the long war, Europe and the United States should support the development of the country’s military industry to reduce its reliance on Western weapons
With less than two months remaining until winter begins, Ukrainian forces are working to secure better positions for the 2024 campaign. Western allies can help them prepare
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is contending with a well-prepared enemy. Western allies need to remain patient as they equip Ukraine to put continued pressure on Russian defences
Ukraine, together with its Western allies, has created an effective air defence system against Russian missiles and drones in Kyiv. Now it is time to extend that system to the rest of the country
Despite their common goals, the Ukrainian authorities have shown little interest in cooperating with the Belarusian opposition. As an ally to both, the EU can facilitate their understanding and engagement
Ukraine’s EU candidacy means the country not only has to preserve its democratic institutions in the face of all-out war – but also reform and strengthen them
European leaders should integrate Ukraine into common defence projects, where the country’s experience and knowledge of war-fighting will be invaluable
After several countries committed to delivering heavy weapons to Ukraine, all eyes are on Germany and the US, and whether they will agree to send Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine
Ukraine’s experience of defending itself against Russian aerial attacks could make it an important future member of Europe’s Sky Shield Initiative
Progress seems slow compared to the successful counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson – but the Ukrainian military also faces greater challenges
Margaryta Khvostova comments on the Ukrainian counteroffensive
The Russian military responded to these failures by reverting to tactics based on barrage fire
Denys Davydenko, Margaryta Khvostova, Dmytro Kryvosheiev and Olga Lymar analyse Russia’s initial military failures in Ukraine
As an ally to both, the European Union can facilitate their mutual understanding and engagement
Margaryta Khvostova, Dmytro Kryvosheiev and Pavel Slunkin on Ukraine’s relationship with the Belarusian opposition