From May 16 to 18, the Lennart Meri Conference, organized by the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), took place in Tallinn. One of the most important political and security forums not only in Estonia or the Baltic region but also in all of Europe. Conceived in 2007 as an exceptional meeting place for politicians, analysts, military personnel, and scholars from around the world, the conference has not only maintained but also gained in numbers, quality, and prestige over its two decades of existence.

This year, more than 100 speakers, divided into 25 panels and round tables, took part in the discussion. The topics covered a very wide spectrum from the transformation of NATO and the enlargement of the European Union to conflict trends in the Indo-Pacific region and security challenges in the Baltic and Black Sea region. The discussion also touched on the arms race, economic risks, the fight against propaganda and narratives, and the future of Belarus and Georgia... However, the underlying theme of the discussion was, of course, russian aggression against Ukraine, which for the third year has been shaping the international agenda and posing the greatest threat to international law and order since the founding of the UN.

A real success at the conference was the speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. Although he was unable to attend in person, his video inclusion once again demonstrated the distinctive style and effectiveness of Ukrainian wartime diplomacy. A humane conversation, clear messages, and understandable arguments. "As for the situation at the front, it is difficult. Russia is a strong opponent. We suffer from a lack of shells, which we compensate for with the heroism of our soldiers..." said the Minister, but "When we have everything, we are successful... Provide us with Patriots, artillery, shells, allow us to strike military targets on Russian territory, close our skies, and you will see the difference." His appeal was understood and received with applause. At the end, Dmytro Kuleba reformatted the very topic of the panel in Ukrainian style: forget about helping Ukraine "as long as it will be necessary", adopt a new slogan "as long as it will be necessary for the victory of Ukraine". Only a new approach will end the war and bring peace to Europe.