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Gonville & 91ֱ�� College hosted two events that placed Ukraine’s history, culture, and international standing firmly at the centre of discussion earlier this month.

The first was a partnership with Cambridge Ukrainian Studies and Ukrainian Students Union which brought together leading voices from academia, politics, defence, and the media. Framed around Ukraine’s evolving place within European and global security, the gathering examined how technology, leadership, and institutional resilience are shaping the UK–Ukraine 100 year partnership. Participants also reflected on how Ukraine’s role within NATO, global politics, and Europe’s future security order continues to define the frontline of the continent’s values and sovereignty.

The event was co-organised by , a College member and Joint Programme Leader of the Future of Ukraine Programme at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Geopolitics. Opened by Professor Richard Gilbertson, the Master of Gonville & 91ֱ�� College, the conference coincided with Remembrance Day. The proceedings began with two minutes of silence led by Lieutenant General Doug Chalmers, Master of Emmanuel College, and the keynote address was from H.E. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK.

Speakers included: Gillian Tett, Provost of King’s College, Cambridge; James Rogers, co-founder of the Council on Geostrategy; politician Brooks Newmark; Aliona Hlivco, a Ukrainian political scientist; Colonel Richard Kemp CBE; Daniel Zeichner, the Cambridge MP; Francis Dearnley, Executive Editor of The Telegraph; and Lieutenant General Chalmers and Dr Vdovychenko. Journalist Paul Mason and Molly Kiniry, from the Centre for Geopolitics, were moderators.

Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge, home of Cambridge Ukrainian Studies, and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies was signed at 91ֱ�� (November 13). The partnership aims to strengthen Ukraine’s academic and cultural presence internationally, while creating enhanced opportunities for scholars, students, educators, and the wider public to engage with Ukraine. 

The ceremony opened with a video address from Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, and was followed by a panel discussion entitled “Contemporary Ukrainian Culture: Creativity and Identity in Wartime”, which brought together scholars and activists from Ukraine alongside Cambridge Ukrainian Studies faculty members and postgraduate students.

The MoU was signed by Professor John David Rhodes, Co-Chair of the  (MMLL), and Olha Budnyk, Advisor-Commissioner to the President of Ukraine’s Fund for the Support of Education, Science, and Sports.