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Saturday 4th October 2025
Location: Central Kyiv
Live broadcast to an international audience!
VPDFO 2025
Back for a fourth consecutive year, VPDFO 2025! lifts the middle finger to Vladimir Putin. We get together the bold and the brave to talk about the war, raise awareness and inspire people with the extraordinary sacrifices of ordinary Ukrainian people.
Raising money once again for a basket of fantastic charities, VPDFO 2025! will bring unique content and interactive sessions to English speaking audiences the world over.
Theme 1 Useless allies; pitiless enemies: Why is the West betraying Ukraine?
Theme 2 War in 2025: How drones are reshaping the modern battlefield
Theme 3 Suffering: 20,000 children kidnapped, soldiers maimed, prisoners tortured
Theme 4 Courage: How Ukraine’s dark sense of humour defeats the Kremlin
Theme 5 After the war is over: what peace will look like
Theme 6 What to do with Russia?
Watch the launch video!TICKETS
Early bird in person: £25 - Promotion ends 31 August
In person standard: £40 - 1 September - 3 October
In person on door: £50 - 4 October
Early bird online: £15 - Promotion ends 31 August
Standard online: £25 - 1 September - 3 October
Charitable donation: £ bespoke - Anytime
DONATIONS
Donate HereSPEAKERS
AGENDA
12.45: Start with live introduction by John Sweeney 🧔🏼♂️
12.50: Short film setting out VPDFO goals with Ukrainian soldier and triple amputee Anton whose black plastic finger is the festival logo 🖕🏿
13:00: Useless allies; pitiless enemies: Why is the West betraying Ukraine?
With: Paul Conroy, Vlad Demchenko, James Hewitt, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Johnny Mercer, Arthur Snell, chaired by John Sweeney.
~ ☕️ 13.50: Ten minute break - filled with short films on our charities 🎬 ~
14:00: How drones are reshaping the modern battlefield
With: Chris Occhicone, Caolan Robertson, James Rushton, Dmytro Kovalchuk, journalist, chaired by Arthur Snell
~ ☕️ 14:50: Ten minute break - filled with short films on our charities ~
15:00: Suffering: 20,000 children kidnapped, soldiers maimed, prisoners tortured
With: Mariia Chepa, Liza Kozlenko, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Paul Niland, Caolan Robertson, chaired by Johnny Mercer
~ ☕️ 15.50: Break ~
16:00: Courage: How Ukraine’s dark sense of humour defeats the Kremlin
With A Comedian? Sasha Aleksandrenko, Vlad Demchenko, Max Leonov, Yaroslav Lodygin, chaired by John Sweeney
~ ☕️ 16.50: Break ~
17:00: After the war is over: what peace will look like
With Arthur Snell, James Rushton, Mariia Chepa, Paul Niland, James Hewitt, chaired by Ian Bearder
~ ☕️ 17.50: Break ~
18:00: What to do with Russia?
With Oleksandra Matviichuk, Paul Conroy, Caolan Robertson, Yaroslav Lodygin, Max Leonov, Johnny Mercer, chaired by JS
~ ☕️ 18.50: Break ~
19:00: Question Time: all our panellists give quick-fire answers, chaired by John Sweeney
20:00: Comedian 🤣
21:00: Band 🎶
22:00: Wrap-up VPDFO! ✌️
CHARITIES
We are proud to support organizations making a real difference in Ukraine — from frontline medical volunteers and mental health hotlines to rehabilitation centers, humanitarian aid projects, and housing initiatives. Each charity plays a vital role in saving lives, restoring hope, and helping communities rebuild for the future.
SPONSORS
We’re grateful to our sponsors whose support helps us grow, innovate, and bring our vision to life.
SPONSORS
Please contact us if you would like to sponsor this event, and help a basket of fantastic Ukrainian charities. Sponsors will be credited on the website and in person during the event.
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