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Ukraine War: ‘Desired course would be peace before things become catastrophic'
UNIVERSITY NEWSLAST UPDATED : 24 FEBRUARY 2023
International Relations and Security experts have marked the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by coming together this week to discuss key moments from the conflict and provide differing forecasts for any potential peace agreements.
The online event, hosted by Birmingham City University, was made of four panellists: BCU’s Dr Lily Hamourtziadou, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Security, Jonathan Jackson, Senior Teaching Fellow, Policing and Security alongside Keele University’s, Bulent Gokay, Professor of International Relations and Cardiff University’s Howard Williams, Professor of Political Theory.
The experts were joined by Andy Stanciu, a BCU student who in March 2022 returned to his home in Romania and worked as part of the Romanian Fire Department on the border with Ukraine ensuring the safe passage of thousands of refugees forced to flee their homes.
With Chinese President Xi Jinping making his speech to press on Friday with his proposal for peace, panellists focused much of the discussion on what these talks could look like, agreeing it’s the best course of action but differing on its potential likelihood.
‘One big game of chess’
‘Does Brexit signify the breakdown of European alliances?’
Audience members at the event were keen to understand the role Brexit played in Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, Jonathan Jackson, Senior Teaching Fellow, Policing and Security at BCU believed this formed only part of Putin’s reasoning, warning of renewed fighting in the coming months.
‘How have Neighbouring countries been affected?’
The conflict has had significant impacts on neighbouring countries, as it relates to Ukrainian refugees forced to flee their homes, something panellist Howard Williams, a Distinguished Professor in Political Theory at Cardiff University pointed out.
Final Year BA Criminology, Policing and Investigation Studies student Andy Stanciu, shared his experiences from his month on the Romania-Ukraine border, detailing some of the harrowing realities of the war on innocent civilians’ lives.
