The US Ambassador to Russia advises everyone start learning Ukrainian

In the United States of America, Ukrainian studies should be studied more expansively, as Ukraine will soon become one of the key countries of the EU and NATO.

Ambassador Michael McFaul, Director, Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, US Ambassador to Russia in 2011-14, expressed this opinion at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine”.

He noted that after the collapse of the USSR, the USA began to pay much less attention to the study of those countries that previously were under the occupation of Russia.

“We held a rather Moscow-centric view. And in academic circles as well. I am a professor at Stanford University and can tell you that we do not have a Department of Ukrainian studies. And it’s a great shame, it’s terribly wrong. And if there is someone having millions of dollars and willing to invest into a good cause, do contact me, we’d give it a thought. No kidding,” he said.

Amb. Michael McFaul is convinced that the Western world, and in particular the United States, should decolonize their view of this region “not only in our politics, but also the way we teach its history and so on.”

“I know Timothy Snyder is working on this, but overall it’s a much broader issue. Ukraine will become one of the most important countries in Europe, and one of the most important countries of the European Union and NATO. Therefore, we, in particular the USA, must begin to understand Ukraine in all of its manifestations, in all of its dimensions, and not only as a country located somewhere next to Russia,” he summarized.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be formed and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.