SPS Panel: Russia's War on Ukraine

Russia’s war against Ukraine has shocked the world. Currently millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, while millions more are trapped under horrific circumstances. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed (both Ukrainian and Russian) and the scale of the humanitarian crisis continues to grow.

In our SPS webinar on Thursday 17 March our expert panel discussed key questions surrounding the war and its implications for Ukraine and Russia, but also for wider European and global peace. Among the topics discussed were the causes of the war; Russian brutality and the fight for freedom and democracy by Ukraine; Russia’s political system and relations with Russia; and are governments around the world doing enough?

We urge people to continue to support the immense international humanitarian effort to help the millions of civilians fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Donations can be given through organisations such as the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. 

The UoG Refugee and Asylum Seeker Champion has information about opportunities to provide support from within the University community. 

Webinar:

  • Welcome by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli
  • Introductions
  • 'Question Time' discussion with questions from the Moderator
  • Q&A with questions submitted by attendees

SPS Panel: Russia's War on Ukraine

Speakers:

Dr Huseyn Aliyev, Lecturer in Central and East European Studies. Huseyn grew up in Russia but has deep personal and scholarly links with Ukraine- including family in the Chernihiv region. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he spent time embedded with paramilitary groups in Ukraine, and was examining military mobilisation in the country.

Yelizaveta Rekhtman, PhD Student (Central and East European Studies). Liza is from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. Her PhD research focuses on the role of civil society in the transitional justice process in Ukraine. Before coming to Glasgow, Liza worked for a civil society NGO, trying to reach across the contact line in the Donbas region for productive dialogue.

Dr Joanna Szostek, Lecturer in Political Communication (Politics). Joanna has extensive experience of studying mass media in Ukraine and Russia. Her research explores how Ukrainians respond to competing political narratives. She previously lived in Kyiv for 18 months, and in Russia for six years.

Moderator:
Dr Ammon Cheskin, Senior Lecturer in Nationalism and Identity. Ammon’s research focuses primarily on Russian-speaking (non)identities outside Russia. He has previously published research on Russian soft power in Ukraine. He also teaches on Russian foreign policy.

In his statement on 9 March 2022, the University of Glasgow Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, underlined the University's solidarity with the people of Ukraine and denounced the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation.


Resources
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