Prof. Dr. Liliana Popescu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National and International Security (INIS), served as a keynote speaker and co-organizer of an international conference on women’s perspectives on the war in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of including women’s voices in security discourse and policy debates.

Opening the event, Prof. Popescu underscored that while women’s perspectives on war may not fundamentally differ from men’s in many respects, it is essential that women’s experiences, concerns, and participation in wartime are recognized and heard. She stressed that Romania’s support for Ukraine is crucial, noting that Ukraine is defending not only itself but also Europe and the European Union, and that enhanced EU assistance remains vital for achieving a just outcome to the war.

Key highlights from the conference

• Liliana Popescu introduced the concept of the event and reaffirmed the strategic importance of sustained European support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
• Maria Zolkina analyzed Ukrainian “red lines” in negotiations, highlighting that the vast majority of Ukrainians reject territorial concessions after four years of war.
• Angela Gramada discussed lessons learned and missed opportunities in strengthening Romanian–Ukrainian mutual understanding during the conflict.
• Nadia Bureiko presented research on the rapid evolution of Ukraine’s public diplomacy over the past 12 years, particularly since the full-scale invasion.
• Miruna Troncotă-Butnaru examined the life and work of writer-war correspondent Victoria Amelina, killed in 2023, arguing that Russia’s war against Ukraine represents a systematic war against civilians in violation of international humanitarian law.

The conference gathered students, academics, NGO representatives, and diplomats, and served as the launch event for the relaunch of the Eastern and South-Eastern Panel Network of women experts in international relations.

The concluding message echoed the words of writer Masha Gessen:
“Russia’s war — a war for the return to an imperial past — has always been a war against Ukraine’s future.”

Participants emphasized that the future of Ukraine and the European Union depends on sustained unity and commitment to the values of life, freedom, and humanity.

The participation of Prof. Liliana Popescu in this high-level international forum reflects INIS’s continued engagement in advancing inclusive security dialogue and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and European future through expert networks and policy discourse.