On April 24, 2025, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrainian politician and diplomat Dmytro Kuleba visited Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University.
Dmytro Kuleba was received by acting rector Anatolii Tsos, Vice-Rector Natalia Blahovirna, Dean of Faculty of International Relations Antonina Shuliak. The current state of Ukrainian higher education was discussed as well as the key problems and challenges embraced by higher education institutions today, in particular in the local context.
The achievements of the University were shared: special attention was paid to the publication of the complete academic collection of works by Lesya Ukrainka in 14 volumes and the 12-volume work of Olena Pchilka, created by VNU scholars. The diplomat sincerely appreciated these unique projects.
An open interview was held after with Dmytro Kuleba, moderated by Nataliia Blahovirna, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Communications.
“We continue to develop our university as an open educational institution cooperating with business, government, as well as creative, intelligent, and talented individuals. Today we have such a meeting, and I am happy that Dmytro Ivanovych found time to visit our university, to see our students,” said acting rector Anatolii Tsos in his welcome speech.
“My appearance here is precisely thanks to Mr. Anatolii. Under my Instagram post about visiting Lutsk, he left a comment with an invitation to the university. This is the first time that a rector has left a comment under my Instagram post, so this is a very good example of what a modern rector of a modern university should be like. So far, from what I have seen in Lutsk and at the educational institution, I can say: you are lucky with both the educators and the administration caring about you and trying to give you the best education,” said Dmytro Kuleba, addressing the students.
Before the conversation, a minute of silence was observed in memory of all those who had died as a result of the russian aggression.
The interview became a platform for analysing key aspects of the modern geopolitical landscape formed in the conditions of the russian-Ukrainian war in particular. The conversation covered a wide range of topics: the vision of Ukraine's victory, the role of international support in achieving a just peace, diplomatic relations in conditions of war. A lot of things were said about the media space and social networks, in particular, the impact of various information campaigns on the international community and the Ukrainian society.
Special attention was paid to Dmytro Kuleba's literary work, in particular, his new book "Diplomatic Cuisine of Wartime".
Dmytro Kuleba provided comprehensive answers to numerous questions from everyone. At the end of the meeting, an autograph session was held during which the students had the opportunity to personally talk to the speaker, purchase his books and take memorable photos
The visit concluded with a tour to the University's Medical Faculty where Dean Andrii Poruchynskyi briefly introduced the modern and powerful material and technical base as well as the educational process.
Information Policy Office
