Chair of Ukrainian Studies University of Ottawa

The Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa cordially invites you to a talk by His Excellency Andrii Plakhotnyuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, on “Four Years of Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine: Lessons for Global Security.”

Despite ongoing negotiations led by the Trump administration, the war will soon enter its fifth year, with Russia’s relentless bombing of civilian energy infrastructure across Ukraine, in freezing temperatures, and constant attacks on the Eastern front.

The Ambassador’s talk will focus on how Ukraine has endured the war and why the world should care, and on Canada’s role in supporting Ukraine in a time of Russia’s aggression.

It will take a dynamic Q&A format with the host and the audience.

Andrii Plakhotnyuk was appointed Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada in Fall 2025. A member of the Ukrainian diplomatic service for more than 25 years, he was the leading diplomat in the 2015 Minsk Accords, which aimed to find a political solution to the war in Donbas. He later served, between 2021-2015, as Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden.

The lecture will be held on Thursday, February, 2026, at 11.30am-12.50pm in Room FSS 4007 (Faculty of Social Sciences Building, 120 University Private.

A map of campus is available at https://bit.ly/4qDvKKs. Look for the “FSS” Building.

Since seating is limited, people interested in attending the talk are encouraged to register online at https://bit.ly/4rPq3dt

We look forward to welcoming you to this event.

Shoutout to our student team and the students of the University of Ottawa Ukrainian Students’ Club volunteers who helped with scheduling, mics, and social media throughout the weekend! 🙌✨

Your energy and teamwork ensured that the Danyliw Research Seminar ran seamlessly. Thank you for proudly representing the student voice and supporting such an impactful event! 💛💙




Photos: Irène de Grave /

It was amazing to see so many Ukrainian student clubs present at the Danyliw Research Seminar on Contemporary Ukraine!

This year, we were proud to see members from the uOttawa Ukrainian Students’ Club, Carleton Ukrainian Students’ Club, and UofT Ukrainian Students’ Club, as well as an alumni from the Humber and York Ukrainian Students’ Clubs take part in the weekend.

Moments like these remind us of the strength of our community, the importance of student leadership, and the power of coming together in support of Ukraine.




Photos: Irène de Grave /

A huge thank you to the Chair Committee made up of the PhD students who volunteered their time both before and throughout the seminar to ensure everything ran smoothly.

We are so grateful for all you contributed! 👏




Photos: Irène de Grave /

This year’s Danyliw Seminar would not have been possible without out Organizing Committee made up of the Dr. Dominique Arel, the Chair of Ukrainian Studies and his two PhD students, Lou Raisonnier and Katerina Sviderska. For so many months know, they've been meticulously organizing every last detail of the 3 day event. Their leadership, planning, and dedication made this important academic gathering possible.

Dr. Arel, Lou and Katerina, thank you for your vision and commitment! 💛💙




Photos: Irène de Grave /

Day 3 Recap!

Thank you for all of those that joined us for the final day of our 19th Annual Danyliw Seminar.




Photos: Irène de Grave /

Day 2 Recap!

Thank you for all of those that joined us for Day 2 our 19th Annual Danyliw Seminar.




Photos: Irène de Grave /