Ukraine is once again in a whirlwind of trials, and the lessons of history are more relevant than ever. “History teaches that it teaches nothing” – this bitter truth has been repeated for centuries. We want to believe that past mistakes will not be repeated, but every time a new wave of Russian imperialism confronts us with an external threat, we see a familiar test – internal strife at the most critical moments.
A little more than 800 years ago, the princes of Kievan Rus had a unique opportunity to unite in the face of the Mongol invasion. However, instead of unity, internal discord forced them to compete with each other, which led to the defeat at Kalka. This historical episode became not just a military fiasco, but also a catastrophe that determined the fate of our lands for many years.
Today, when Ukraine is facing a full-scale war for its existence, the enemy uses not only modern weapons, but also psychological warfare aimed at destabilization from within. The Kremlin’s stake is not only success on the front, but also a split among those who should fight for our freedom. The moment when part of the political camp shifts the emphasis from the fight against the aggressor to discrediting the president under martial law is especially painful – this is a classic Kremlin narrative.
In conditions when attacks on the authority of Volodymyr Zelenskyy are spreading not only within the country, but also beyond its borders, our common responsibility is to prevent the mistakes of the past from being repeated. Today, as in the most difficult days of history, unity is the key to our stability and victory.
The university has always stood in defense of high moral and scientific values, developing critical thinking, historical awareness and patriotism among young people. We are confident that only by uniting will we be able to confront modern challenges, preserve our values, and build a future free from divisions and internal disputes.
We call on the entire university community – students, faculty, and staff – to remember the lessons of history and unite in a common struggle for Ukraine. Only together are we invincible.