Panel discussion on Ukraine

Press release — 24 February 2014

The Center for EU-Russia Studies (CEURUS) invites participants to a panel discussion organized on the occasion of the recent events in Kyiv:

“Euromaidan: Making sense of the Ukrainian revolution”

on February 27, 14.15-17.15 at the UT Faculty of Social Sciences, Lossi 36-214

What are the origins of the Euromaidan and what are its prospects? What is the economic background of the conflict and what are the roles of the oligarchs in it? What are the attitudes of Ukrainians abroad and how do they support the Euromaidan? Finally, what is the role of Russia and what is its goal? Join us for a panel discussion with views from participants of diverse professional background and expert knowledge of the topic.

Speakers on the panel include:

  • Jaanika Merilo: The economic background to the conflict – domestic and international
  • KarmoTüür: Why Euromaidan? The origins and significance of the protests in Ukraine
  • Vira Konyk: The attitudes in the Ukrainian diaspora
  • Viacheslav Morozov: What is Russia trying to achieve?

Everybody is welcome to join!

For additional information, please contact Ryhor Nizhnikau: ryhor[at]ut.ee

About the panelists:

Jaanika Merilo is a founding partner of the consultancy Aida Invest which offers services to customers active in or targeting Ukraine. She has significant first-hand experience in the realm of economic and trade relations with Ukraine working in business ventures investing in Ukrainian market.

Karmo Tüür is project manager of the “Akadeemiline Balti-Vene Uuringute Keskus” (ABVK) Network, which is one of CEURUS outreach projects. As project manager he regularly comments on Russia-related developments in the Estonian media as well as in blogs and other internet-based formats. Karmo has recently been to Kiev, where he interviewed a number of Ukrainian experts on the recent events.

Vira Konyk is the chairwoman of the Ukrainian Congress in Estonia, the leader of the Estonian Ukrainian community. She currently works as a correspondent of the Ukrainian National Radio company in Estonia.

Viacheslav Morozov is Professor of EU-Russia Studies at the University of Tartu. He has published extensively on Russian national identity and foreign policy, in particular on Russia’s role in Europe and relations with the European Union. Most recently, his work focuses on the Russian interpretations of democracy and sovereignty in the context of poststructuralist and postcolonial social theory.