“Ukraine: Future’s Frontline”
Exhibition on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference 2026
On February 13, 2026, the Munich Security Conference, in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, opened Ukraine House at MSC2026, featuring the exhibition “Ukraine: Future’s Frontline.”
The official Opening of Ukraine House featured remarks by Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Heiko Thoms, German Ambassador to Ukraine; Victor Pinchuk, Founder, Yalta European Strategy (YES); Oleksandr Kamyshin, Advisor to President of Ukraine on strategic issues, and Oleksandr Falshtynskyi, Chief of the Medical Service, 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces of Ukraine.
Moderator: Dr. Nicole König, Head of Policy, Munich Security Conference.
Speakers of the opening emphasize that Ukraine is at the heart of European security and resilience. They call for continued international support, highlighting Ukraine’s innovations in defense technology (like drone interceptors) as crucial for both its own victory and for strengthening Europe’s future security architecture, urging Europe to abandon reliance on external powers and build its own strength with Ukraine as a key partner.
“This House stands as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people who continue to defend their freedom and indeed the freedom of entire Europe, while facing relentless Russian attacks”.
“I have an honour to visit our soldiers from time to time. And what our heroes, our soldiers, are mainly talking about is innovation. They know that the only way to survive and to protect our independence and sovereignty, and to win this war is to outpace our enemy in innovation.”
“One of the most powerful messages is the one that our artist Oleksii Sai made for the exhibition – ‘Change or Die’. Another one: it’s very important for us to have Ukraine House in Germany, but we also need German ‘Taurus’ in Ukraine, we also need more American ‘Patriots’ in Ukraine and we need more investments into our defence industry,” he added.
“Today’s event shows that Ukraine is a priority at the Munich Security Conference this year. And we are in a new era – security outsource is over. The time has come to build inner strength. This is only possible with Ukraine as an integral part of a new European security architecture”.
We need to evolve faster than the enemy. The enemy changes day by day. ‘Change or die’ is a message of this exhibition, but it is not a message to Ukraine. It’s a warning to Europe. You need to prepare yourself before war comes to you.”
“Ukrainians are more resilient than ever. This very tough situation is only hardening their resolve to withstand the aggression. But, of course, no one would be able to withstand such an aggression alone, and this is why Ukraine needs assistance.”
“It’s clear where the aggression is coming from. It is Putin who doesn’t want to stop this war. So we need to support Ukraine, it’s in our interest to support brave Ukrainians. We are actually in this together,” he added.
“Ukrainian ‘zbroya’ (weaponry) has become an integral part of Ukraine, and now it’s only logical for it to become an integral part of Ukraine House. We are not only showing a new type of threat here – the Iranian-Russian ‘shahed’, but we are also showing Ukraine’s counteroffensive response to the new type of threats that we have.”
The opening of Ukraine House included the presentation of the exhibition “Ukraine: Future’s Frontline,” highlighting how Ukrainian innovation is key to stopping the security threat from Russia. And the big picture: Ukraine, whose survival depends on innovation and agility, can inspire a Europe that lacks both and therefore falls behind globally.
Central in the exhibition an AI movie envisions a drone attack on European capitals. Before it lies a shot-down real Shakhed drone of the type that kills Ukrainians every day. Juxtaposed to it, Ukrainian innovative systems are displayed that have till this day hold the threat at bay for Europe. A wake-up call to Europe and the West, displayed in the exhibition in bright neon: “Change or Die”.
Works in the exhibition:
You Should’t have to see this, 2024 — Yarema Malashchukh and Roman Khimei
A work depicting children who were rescued from over 300 days of living in captivity in Russian camps after being kidnapped. Now returned to their homes and families in Ukraine they live till this day under threat of the same atrocities and in apartments that since January are largly without heat and electricity.
An AI movie shows a potential future for Europe: a Russian drone attack on EU capitals. Before it lies a shot-down real Shahed drone.
A series of Ukrainian counter measures to Russian aggression, weapon systems that have held the enemy at bay and can bolster European defence capacities for future.
CHANGE OR DIE, 2026 — Oleksii Say
A wake-up call to Europe and the West in bright neon letters: “Change or Die”.
The incomplete Truth, 2006 — Damien Hirst
Installed at the Bayerische Hof, this dove in suspended flight symbolises a fragile potential of peace. But peace alone is incomplete and misleading. Facing an enemy as Russia peace is only possible through strong deterrence and the ability to inflict prohibitive cost to the aggressor. Moreover, peace in Ukraine will be real only if difficult questions such as justice, sovereignty and long term security are resolved.
Curated by Björn Geldhof, Artistic Director of the PinchukArtCentre.
Ukraine House is organized by the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry. It was open throughout the MSC, 13–14 February 2026.
Photos are available here.