After weeks of tensions, on 24 February 2022 Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. A year later, where do things stand?
You’ll find an overview of VU Amsterdam’s research, initiatives and stories relating to the war in Ukraine below.
VU experts on the Russia-Ukraine war
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Psychological first aid for refugees: by and for Ukrainians
VU Amsterdam assistant professor and clinical psychologist Els van der Ven and VU Amsterdam assistant professor and traumatic stress researcher Iryna Frankova tell us about the U-RISE project, and how psychological aid can be provided through a collaborative European network, via an app and on-site.
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Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on climate research
Earth scientist Jorien Vonk conducts research into permafrost: the permanently frozen ground in Siberia. Permafrost research is key to understanding climate change, and the Siberian region is ideally suited to this. Due to the discontinuation of scientific cooperation with Russia, research is currently at a standstill – with all the consequences that brings.
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The victory of politics
Haroon Sheikh, professor by special appointment of Strategic Governance of Global Technologies, focuses on the question of what politics represents in the 21st century in his inaugural lecture. “On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The ultimate consequences of this are not yet clear, but the 20th century politics of friend and foe seem to have made a comeback in Europe. Can that form of politics be overcome, or is it permeating other parts of society?” asks Haroon Sheikh.
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From Kyiv to Amsterdam: Ukrainian students on the run
It’s the question that everyone within academic circles is asking: how can we best help the Ukrainian people? Kilian Wawoe, VU Amsterdam researcher and lecturer in Human Resources Management, didn't have to think about it for long: drive to Poland, pick up as many students as possible and bring them to safety in Amsterdam.
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Katya Tolstoj: ''The war means a complete merging of my personal and academic life."
Professor Katya Tolstoj, who comes from Russia, specialises in theology and religion in societies that have experienced collective trauma. “The war underlines the urgent social need for theology and the study of religion,” says Katya Tolstoj.
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Russian deserters and asylum: a complex constellation
Andrey Medvedev, a former commander of the notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner, has sought asylum in Norway. He claimed that he had deserted, he had seen war crimes committed by members of the Wagner group in Ukraine, and he was willing to testify about them. Could or should deserters like Medvedev be eligible for asylum?
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A greater willingness to fight for your homeland
The war in Ukraine and the growing threat from Russia are forcing many societies to think differently about conflict and their own participation in it. Should the world be preparing for World War III? And do people actually still want to fight for their homeland? Wolfgang Wagner, professor of International Security investigate this.
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What do VU-experts say?
You’ll find an overview of researchers at VU Amsterdam who are involved in research topics relating to the Ukraine-Russia conflict here.