Public
Engagement

The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, David Dondua, took part in the 5th Paneuropa Ukraine Conference “United Europe: Time for Subjectivity and Action,” held in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, on 10–11 October 2025.
Over two days, participants discussed the most pressing issues concerning Ukraine’s and Europe’s security. David Dondua spoke at the panel “Europe’s Eastern Border and Future Relations with (Post-)Russia.” His main message was that Europe’s eastern border is not merely a geographical line but a political and moral frontier — one that defines the future of the entire continent. He emphasised that supporting Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia is not an act of generosity but an investment in a stable and peaceful Europe. Dondua also warned that, alongside its brutal war in Ukraine, the Kremlin is waging a multidimensional hybrid campaign against Europe itself — using disinformation, cyberattacks, and political subversion to weaken democracies from within. In this struggle, every country matters — large or small, NATO member or EU candidate — because if one falls, others will follow.
In his remarks, Dondua analysed Russia’s multidimensional approach to warfare, underscoring that its aggression extends beyond the physical battlefield into the cognitive and informational domains. He argued that propaganda, disinformation, cyberattacks, and political manipulation have become central instruments of Moscow’s strategy to erode democratic resilience, distort public discourse, and undermine trust in Western institutions.
Using Georgia as a case study, Dondua illustrated how the Kremlin’s hybrid tactics evolved after the 2008 war — achieving through information and influence what it could not secure militarily. Georgia’s gradual political backsliding and internal polarisation demonstrate how hybrid warfare can erode sovereignty without overt occupation.
Situating Ukraine’s ongoing struggle within this broader continuum of Russian aggression, Dondua stressed that Ukraine is not only defending its own sovereignty but also serving as Europe’s defensive frontier — holding the line for the continent’s democratic security. The war in Ukraine, he argued, underscores the consequences of earlier Western inaction and the urgent need to treat hybrid threats with the same determination as conventional ones.
Ultimately, Dondua called for a strategic reassessment in the West: to recognise disinformation and hybrid operations as integral components of modern warfare and to understand that defending Ukraine, Georgia, and other frontline democracies is essential to safeguarding Europe’s long-term stability and values.
The EU Awareness Centre expresses sincere appreciation to Paneuropa Austria for the kind invitation to the conference and for fostering such an important exchange of ideas.