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This essay argues that Ukraine’s defense must be matched by democratic credibility. It identifies three pitfalls to avoid. First, in the information war, Kyiv should restore media pluralism, curb performative messaging, and institutionalize sourcing, corrections, and independent oversight to distinguish itself from Russian disinformation. Second, Ukraine should openly confront fraught history—including Volhynia/Eastern Galicia, the Azov Brigade, and WWII-era nationalist symbols—through transparent vetting, scholarship, and joint reckoning with allies. Third, wartime centralization must not harden into hyperpresidentialism: Anticorruption bodies require independence, “sunset clauses” limiting grants of emergency powers, and a rule-of-law compact. These reforms would strengthen public trust, EU prospects, and postwar consolidation across civil society, politics, law, state capacity, and the economy.
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