About the Event

Amid Russia’s full-scale invasion, the timing of future Ukrainian elections has recently come into the spotlight of international and Ukrainian media. Regular, competitive, free and fair elections are fundamental pillars of resilient democracies across the world — but can the same be said for democracies facing a full-scale invasion?

The National Endowment for Democracy, in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the United States Institute of Peace, hosted a discussion on refortifying Ukraine’s democratic and electoral foundations. The conversation delved into the key steps Ukraine can undertake now to prepare for free and fair elections once Russia’s invasion ends, and addressed strategies for Ukraine to safeguard itself against disruptive Russian disinformation narratives targeting its democracy and the postponement of elections.

About the Speakers

Ambassador William Taylor, moderator
Vice President, Russia and Europe Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

Peter Erben
Global Principal Advisor and Senior Country Director for Ukraine, International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Olga Aivazovska
Board Chair, OPORA

Damon Wilson 
President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy

Ambassador Oksana Markarova
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States