You recently returned from a work visit to Kyiv. Could you tell us what inspired it?
We travelled to Kyiv as an expression of solidarity with our colleagues—researchers, policymakers, and academics—who persevere with unwavering dedication amidst unimaginable adversity. In times as turbulent as these, fostering robust networks is not optional but essential. Hosting Ukrainian colleagues at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence is a vital step, but true collaboration requires deeper, lasting integration into institutional and academic life. Ukraine has become indispensable to the European project, not merely as a geopolitical partner but as a model of resilience and determination. The steadfastness of Ukrainians in the face of existential threats has set an extraordinary standard for resistance—one from which all Europeans have much to learn. Fighting a war for their survival, Ukrainians simultaneously act as a shield for the European Union and a beacon of transformative ambition, advancing substantial reforms aimed at EU integration. Ukraine’s role—defender and reformer—is as impressive as it is inspiring.
During our visit, we met scholars and administrators—our partners from the Kyiv School of Economics and the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy — who are balancing their academic responsibilities with survival. They navigate power outages, daily air raid alerts and caring for their families, yet remain focused on fostering connections and exchanging ideas. Our role was small, but we left feeling that these human bridges of collaboration, however fragile, could help sustain cooperative knowledge production and nurture hope for Ukraine’s victory and the EU’s resilience.
We met Rector Tymofii Brik and Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Kostyantyn Kyrychenko at the Kyiv School of Economics, under the curious eyes of Tymofii's young daughter, Ivanka. We also met Volodymyr Venher, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the National University ‘Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’, who took us on a stirring walk to the Maidan, reminding us of the enduring significance of Ukraine's fight for freedom.
What insights did you gain about Ukraine’s journey to EU integration?
Our trip was not just symbolic. Our second purpose was to learn from local practitioners and experts about Ukraine’s negotiations for EU integration. At the Robert Schuman Center, we initiated the ‘EU Enlargement Hub‘ to explore how academic knowledge and networks can be harnessed to support this historic process. During our visit, we met members of the civil society and government officials involved in Ukraine’s economic reconstruction, defence strategies and defence industry, energy infrastructure, EU accession negotiations, and public opinion analysis.
What stood out was the depth of expertise and clarity of vision displayed by Ukrainians. Despite the human resource restraints, they showed an extraordinary ability to collaborate across sectors, bridging administrative gaps with ingenuity and commitment. These exchanges provided invaluable insights—not only into policy frameworks but also into the human stories that drive their aspirations. Every conversation was a testament to their resolve to overcome obstacles and bring Ukraine closer to Europe, a process they framed as both a political and existential necessity.
The 'EU Enlargement Hub' has already begun building a transatlantic network with a strong Central and Eastern European core. Scholars from Montreal and Brussels to Kyiv and Chișinău to Budapest already came together in this initiative to generate new perspectives and data on EU integration and enlargement, applicable to Ukraine and beyond. We also hope to become a useful resource, connecting all experts and researchers who took the time to meet us in Kyiv with colleagues across the EUI working on EU integration and enlargement, European defence and Ukraine’s development.
How is Ukraine adapting its security strategies amidst global shifts?
We sought to understand how Ukraine was adapting its security strategies in the face of shifting global dynamics, including the impact of the U.S. elections and the EU’s efforts to maintain a coherent response to Russia’s aggression. The re-election of President Donald Trump introduced significant uncertainties regarding international support. However, rather than succumbing to despair, the Ukrainians we met demonstrated remarkable pragmatism and adaptability.
They shared how the government is looking for strategies to address the anticipated challenges posed by the incoming US administration while ensuring resilience in the face of geopolitical uncertainty. Their ability to navigate these layered crises reminds us that courage is not just about standing tall—it is also about moving forward, no matter how difficult the path.
Veronica Anghel is a Part-time Assistant Professor and co-director of the European Governance and Politics Programme. She co-leads the 'EU Enlargement Hub', a cooperative research and capacity-building initiative between the EUI, the CEU Democracy Institute, and the Kyiv School of Economics. Anghel is a professor and course coordinator for the CEU Invisible University for Ukraine (IUfU), an initiative aimed to support the continuous education of many Ukrainian students whose studies have been affected by the war.
Erik Jones is Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute. He is editor or co-editor of books and special issues of journals on topics related to European politics and political economy. His commentary has appeared in the Financial Times, the New York Times, and other major newspapers and magazines across Europe and North America. Professor Jones is author of The Politics of Economic and Monetary Union (2002), Economic Adjustment and Political Transformation in Small States (2008), Weary Policeman: American Power in an Age of Austerity (2012, with Dana H. Allin), and The Year the European Crisis Ended (2014).