Per-Kaare Holdal
The war in Ukraine is not just about tanks, missiles and territory. It is about identity, belonging and the future of Europe. Ukraine is fighting not just for its own freedom, but for the principle that borders cannot be redrawn by force, and that a state cannot be wiped out because a larger neighbour believes it has no right to exist.
But Ukraine faces several parallel challenges – some visible, some less visible, but at least as dangerous.
Since regaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has pursued a path toward democracy, freedom, and European integration. The road has not been easy: corruption, political instability, and pressure from Russia have repeatedly tested Ukraine’s institutions and society. Yet, despite these challenges, Ukrainians have consistently demonstrated their commitment to democracy through civic activism, free elections, and grassroots movements.