University based in County Kildare welcomes former Ukrainian president Victor Yushchenko
Maynooth University welcomed former president of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko to its campus yesterday, for what was his only speaking engagement in Ireland.
The former Ukrainian president (from 2005 to 2010) attended an in-conversation event with Professor John O'Brennan as part of an event hosted by the Social Sciences Institute, Department of Sociology and the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies.
With Professor O'Brennan leading the conversation, the president reflected on Ukraine's past, present, and future; he also offered his informed opinions on current affairs in Ukraine, including the ongoing invasion by Russia, providing valuable context to the complex geopolitical landscape.
The event was attended by Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko.
Commenting on the event, Prof John O’Brennan said: "We are delighted to host President Yushchenko at Maynooth University.
"He is someone who showed exemplary courage in leading the 'Orange Revolution' two decades ago and then put Ukraine on a sustained path towards pluralism and democracy.
"His time in office was made more difficult by Russia's determination to control Ukraine as a proxy state."
Prof Brennan continued: "Over the last 600 days, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in resisting Russian aggression.
"In part, that resilience is down to the changes made during President Yushchenko's period in office.
"We were delighted to host the president and his wife, Katherine, and very happy to see the large number of Ukrainian students, staff and citizens who participated in the event."
The former president also took questions from the audience of almost 200 students and staff, which included a large number of Ukrainian students and citizens, during the event, hosted in the Technology, Society and Innovation Building (TSI).
His commentary was translated by his wife, Katherine Mykhaylivna Yushchenko.
When the ongoing invasion of his home country was brought up, Mr Yuschenko said: "The world understands that it is not just Ukraine that needs victory, but that the western world should not lose.
(L-R) Professor John O’Brennan, Maynooth University, Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University and Viktor Yushchenko, former Ukrainian president. Photo credit: Maxwell’s.
He added: "Security policy does not have borders; if there is a fire in one part of the world, this is not such a time to ask for whom the bell tolls, next time it could be for you."
Mr Yuschenko also posed the following question: "How did Vietnam win against the largest army in the world? How did Afghanistan win against the huge Soviet army?
"The root of our strength or Vietnam’s or Afghanistan’s or Poland or Lithuania’s is national spirit... national spirit is what wins the war, not AK-47s."
The former president, his wife Katherine, and Ms Gwrasko also met with President of Maynooth University, Prof Eeva Leinonen.
Mr Yushchenko also presented the University with a Ukrainian flag folded into a large glass jar, and recommended that the jar be opened and unfurled 'when Ukraine is victorious.'