Statement by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the outcome of the 75th anniversary NATO summit and the launch of the Ukraine Compact in Washington D.C.

“Yesterday evening, leaders from 20 countries joined President Biden and President Zelenskyy to launch the Ukraine Compact in Washington D.C. This is an important moment. The Compact brings together a web of long-term bilateral security agreements signed between Ukraine and its partners over the last year. It creates a security framework to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression now and deter it in the future.

“I strongly welcome the Ukraine Compact, which is built on the Kyiv Security Compact that I authored with President Zelenskyy’s Chief-of-Staff Andriy Yermak. For the past two years, Rasmussen Global has worked closely with the Ukrainian President’s Office to promote the need for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. This war will only end when Vladimir Putin understands that Ukraine’s allies are committed for as long as it takes, and to give as much as it takes for Ukraine to win. The Ukraine Compact formalizes that resolve.

“Alongside the Compact, the announcements on NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, a permanent representative in Kyiv, and a new $40 billion yearly commitment from allies are welcome. However, the Washington Summit disappointed on the bigger strategic question: Ukraine’s path to membership.

“Despite promises that Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration is irreversible, Ukraine remains stuck in NATO’s waiting room. The only way of showing Vladimir Putin that our commitment is truly irreversible is by opening accession talks with Ukraine to join the alliance. Leaders should have taken that bold step in Washington, instead they leave a shadow of a doubt that Putin will continue to exploit.”

Statement by former NATO Secretary General and Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen on signing of U.S. – Ukraine bilateral security act.

“Yesterday evening the United States signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. This is an important moment; it shows that the United States is committed to Ukraine’s security for the long-haul. The agreement is built on the Kyiv Security Compact that I co-authored with President Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak. It includes the four main elements that we proposed: building Ukraine’s military to such a strength that it can win this war and deter future Russian aggression, enhanced intelligence sharing, expansion of training and exercises with Ukrainian forces, and developing Ukraine’s military industrial base.

“Alongside the U.S – Ukraine pact, Japan also signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. This means all G7 nations have now signed agreements built on the principles set out in the Kyiv Security Compact.

“To bring this war to an end, Vladimir Putin must understand that he cannot outlast us. The economic and military might of the democratic world dwarfs that of Russia – if we are resolved and united Ukraine will win. The agreements are a positive step, but they are not the end destination. For lasting peace and security in Europe, we must embed Ukraine in the political and military structures of the Euro-Atlantic area. We must bring Ukraine into both NATO and the European Union without delay.”

International Taskforce on Ukraine’s Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration outlines a clear path for Ukraine to join NATO and proposes immediate steps to reinforce Ukraine’s security.

The International Taskforce led by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak today released a report entitled Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Future: Paving the path to peace & security.

The report outlines concrete proposals to immediately reinforce Ukraine’s security, help to contain and then end the war, and bridge Ukraine to its future in NATO. It recommends:

• Issuing an invitation at the NATO Summit in Washington D.C. for Ukraine to start accession talks to join the alliance and inviting the NATO-Ukraine Council to define specific conditions for membership.
• Setting a clear timeframe for Ukrainian NATO membership of no later than July 2028, provided specific conditions are met.
• Containing the war as a first step to ending the war, by strengthening Ukraine and its allies’ efforts to deny Russia’s operational success on land, at sea, and in the air.
• Lifting all caveats on types of conventional weapons delivered to Ukraine and all caveats on their use against military targets inside Russia.
• Bringing the web of bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and its partners under the framework of an international compact.
• Building Ukraine’s future force so that it can reach – before the end of the decade – a size and structure robust enough to defend against a future conventional attack by Russia and positively contribute to NATO’s collective defence plans.
• A commitment by NATO Allies to spend the equivalent of 0.25% of their GDP on military assistance to Ukraine.
• Unblocking the $300 billion of frozen Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine.
• Setting clear reform and governance benchmarks for Ukraine, fully aligned with the EU accession process.
• Developing a set of assurances on the defensive nature of Ukraine’s future NATO membership.

The full report is available here – Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Future: Paving the path to peace & security

Speaking following the release of the report, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said:

“Bold action is needed to deliver a Ukrainian victory and a sustainable peace. NATO leaders need to make clear that our support for Ukraine’s security and sovereignty is irreversible. This report sets out clear measures to achieve that through enhanced economic and military support to contain and end Putin’s war. It also recommends NATO leaders open accession talks with Ukraine at the Washington D.C. summit in July. Bringing Ukraine into NATO is the surest path to lasting peace and security in Europe.”

Andriy Yermak, Head of Office to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added:

“Strong and clear decisions at the NATO Summit in July will be extremely important for the future just peace in Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic region. They will also be a good motivation and strong support for the Ukrainian military and all our citizens,”

Report signatories from the International Task Force on Ukraine’s Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration:

Co-Chairs

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak

Former Prime Minister of Denmark and Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Members

Former President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė

Former President of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski

Former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin

Former Prime Minister of Poland Marek Belka

Former Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikuláš Dzurinda

Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence of Canada Peter MacKay

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense of France Michèle Alliot-Marie

Former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Lord William Hague

Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo H. Daalder

Former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker

Former National Security Advisor of Canada Jody Thomas

Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark

Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Heinrich Brauss

Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Giedrimas Jeglinskas

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At the request of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a new high-level working group on Ukraine’s security and Euro-Atlantic integration was launched yesterday afternoon in Kyiv.

The international group is co-chaired by the Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Andriy Yermak, and former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The co-chairs launched the group in-person, with other members joining online.

It is now almost two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Long-term peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area rely on a Ukrainian victory but also putting the necessary security architecture in place to deter a militaristic and imperialistic Russia. This new working group will look in detail at both how to ensure Ukraine’s immediate security needs and its integration into the Euro-Atlantic political and security structures.

This new group build on the work of the previous chaired by Yermak and Rasmussen, which prepared the Kyiv Security Compact – a systemic vision of security commitments for Ukraine before it joins NATO. This document was the basis for the Vilnius G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, and later for a number of bilateral security agreements, the first of which has already been signed with the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the kick off meeting of the new international group Co-Chair Andriy Yermak said:

“Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has dealt a devastating blow to the rules-based global order. At the same time, it has undermined the foundations of the post-Cold War security architecture. Ukraine is the key to Europe. This means one thing: Russia must lose the war it started. We are very grateful to everyone who helps us on the path to victory.”

Andriy Yermak noted that in order to prevent the recurrence of aggression in Europe, Ukraine must become a full member of the Alliance.

“Going further on this successful path, Anders and I have decided to launch a new task force to focus on the most important issues: Ukraine’s security and integration into NATO.”

Co-Chair Anders Fogh Rasmussen said:

“If Vladimir Putin is allowed any success in Ukraine, he will not stop there. He will continue to threaten Europe’s security unless we put the structures in place to prevent him from doing so. First and foremost, that means ensuring Ukraine has all it needs to defeat Russia on the battlefield. But it also depends on us embedding Ukraine in the Euro-Atlantic political and security architecture, namely the European Union and NATO. That is the best way to ensure long-term peace and stability on our continent.”

Alongside the co-chairs, the working group includes:

• Former President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė
• Former President of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski
• Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson
• Former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin
• Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
• Former Prime Minister of Poland Marek Belka
• Former Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikuláš Dzurinda
• Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt
• Former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Lord William Hague
• Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense of France Michèle Alliot-Marie
• Chairman of the German Green Party and Member of the German Bundestag Omid Nouripour
• Former Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Peter MacKay
• Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark
• Former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker
• Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Heinrich Brauss (Germany)
• Former NATO Assistant Secretary General Giedrimas Jeglinskas (Lithuania)
• Former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo H. Daalder
• Former National Security Advisor Jody Thomas (Canada)

Rasmussen Global is expanding its advisory capabilities across its European offices with Rachel Samrén joining RG as a Scandinavia-based Senior Advisor. Rachel brings a vast amount of executive experience from the corporate world, and the telecoms and technology sector in particular. She has a unique breadth of skills and experience across government relations, regulatory affairs, communications, sustainability, governance and risk, ethics and compliance, and security and geopolitics. Rachel strengthens Rasmussen Global’s team in the Nordics while bringing decades of experience also working with developing markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America.

In Brussels, Lena Björkholm joins Rasmussen Global as a policy advisor. Lena brings insights on European politics, the green transition, and sustainability. Lena has political consultancy experience, as well as in the public sector at the European External Action Service, Finnish diplomatic service, and the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office.  Lena will focus on RG’s work with both private and sovereign clients.

Dara Murphy has become Rasmussen Global Vice President. Dara has unparalleled experience of European public policy and politics, as a former Irish Minister and former Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP). Dara will continue leading Rasmussen Global’s client work around this year’s EU elections, leveraging his unique insight from his role as the campaign manager for the EPP’s successful 2019 EU election campaign.

Meanwhile, Arthur De Liedekerke has been promoted to Senior Director, European Affairs, Rasmus Grand Berthelsen to Senior Director, Nordics, Tim Allan to Senior Director, Communications, Helene Bille Albrechtsen to Director, Energy and Resources, and Celine Emma la Cour to Project Manager, Sovereign Clients.

Speaking Rasmussen Global’s continued growth, CEO Fabrice Pothier said:

“We continue to expand at a rapid pace while staying true to our democratic values. 2023 was a demanding but important year with the opening of our office in Kyiv and turning the Kyiv Security Compact into a G7 endorsed process. 2024 promises to be a league of its own: the year when politics and geopolitics collide, and the year when Rasmusen Global hits the 10-year mark. For that we are beefing up our pool of talents across Europe. So, Rasmussen Global can help companies and democratic governments navigate a uniquely geopolitical year.”

Former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has launched a new high-level group to galvanise support for democratic Armenia and promote peace in the South Caucasus.

The Friends of Armenia Network, which includes former prime ministers, parliamentarians, and diplomats, aims to bring Armenia closer to like-minded democracies in Europe and around the world.

The group met for the first time yesterday remotely and was briefed on the latest political developments by the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan.

Speaking after the launch of the group, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said:

“In the last few days, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive against the ethnic-Armenian population in Nagorno Karabakh. There is a significant danger of ethnic cleansing occurring if the international community does not act.

“Azerbaijan’s actions make the work of this new group even more important. Armenia is a fledgling democracy in an incredibly difficult and dangerous neighbourhood. The Armenian government is making an active effort to improve relations with other democratic countries in Europe and beyond. Our group is committed to supporting Armenia in those efforts, and supporting a sustainable peace in the region.

“This was the inaugural meeting of our group, over the coming months, we will put forward new ideas and proposals to strengthen Armenia’s place in the democratic family of nations.”

Note to editors:

Anders Fogh Rasmussen is chairman of the Friends of Armenia Network. Other members include:

Mikuláš Dzurinda – Martens Centre President, Minister of Foreign affairs (2010-2012), Prime Minister of Slovakia (1998 -2006)

Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz – Member of the European Parliament (2009-…), Marshal of the Sejm (2005), Minister of Foreign affairs (2001 – 2005), Prime Minister of Poland (1996 – 1977)

Anne-Laurence Petel – Member of the French Assemblée nationale (2017-…), Chair of the parliamentary friendship group with Armenia (2022-…)

Raimundas Lopata – Member of the Lithuanian Seimas (2020-…), Chair of the parliamentary friendship group with Armenia (2020-…)

Štefan Füle – Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood policy (2010-2014), Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009)

Dietmar Nietan – Member of the German Bundestag (1998-2002, 2005-…), Treasurer of the Social Democratic Party

Els Van Hoof – Member of Belgian Chambre des représentants (2014-2019, 2019-…), Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs (2019-…), Senator (2008, 2009-2014)

Charles Flanagan – Member of the Irish Oireachtas (2020-…), Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence (2020-…), Minister of Justice (2017-2020), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014-2017)

Since March 2023, Rasmussen Global has been working with the Armenian government to help improve connections with the European Union and the wider democratic world.

Statement by former NATO Secretary General and Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the Vilnius NATO summit and G7 declaration on support for Ukraine:

“Today G7 members will adopt a wide-ranging security pact with Ukraine in Vilnius. This is an important moment and it is welcome that it happens on the sidelines of the NATO summit. It shows Ukraine’s partners are united in moving from the ad-hoc support provided to date to a long-term vision from Ukraine’s security.

This agreement is built on the Kyiv Security Compact that I authored with the President Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak. It includes the four central elements that we proposed: transfer of NATO standard weapons, enhanced intelligence sharing, a major expansion of training and exercises with Ukrainian forces, and support to develop Ukraine’s military industrial base. Its purpose is clear, to ensure that Ukraine wins this war and make sure Russia is never able to do this again.

Despite welcome developments on security guarantees, the NATO summit has disappointed when it comes to outlining a clear path to Ukraine’s membership. Security guarantees are not an end destination for Ukraine – they are designed to provide stability while Ukraine moves towards NATO and EU membership. Vilnius was an opportunity to set out these next steps clearly, instead there was only a promise that Ukraine will be invited when unspecified “conditions are met.”

Since 2008, Ukraine has been left in NATO’s waiting room. This is a dangerous place to be. If we want to move on from the mistakes of the past, the new Ukraine-NATO Council must not be another talking shop. Instead, it must focus on practical questions to move Ukraine’s NATO aspirations forward, with a concrete timeline. By next year’s NATO summit in Washington, NATO leaders should be able to extend an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance. Only when this happens will Vladimir Putin understand that Ukraine’s future is at the heart of NATO, and there is nothing he can do to prevent it.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has established an international working group on security guarantees for Ukraine. The working group will be co-chaired by Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, and former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The working group will be made up of leading experts from politics, foreign policy, diplomacy, and academia. The exact composition of the group will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The group will put forward recommendations on an effective mechanism to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.

Speaking after the working group was announced, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said:

“It is an honour to have been asked by President Zelenskyy to co-chair this international working group. The overwhelming priority now is ensuring that Ukraine wins this war. However, we also need to find mechanisms to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.

“The Ukrainian people have shown immense bravery in the face of a barbaric and unprovoked invasion. We put guarantees in place to ensure that this can never happen again.

“No commitments from third countries can replace Ukraine’s own strong defence capabilities. The working group will also look at how Ukraine’s partners can help bolster and rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces to deter future aggression.”

Statement from the Office of the President of Ukraine