The London weekly: You are one of the few representatives of Ukrainian academic science actively promoting the image of Ukraine and interest in the country in Europe.
How do you assess the current state of Ukrainian studies in the European Union?
Oleg Kozerod: There are no solid Ukrainian Studies schools in Europe today. It should be noted that there are good experts in some countries who understand the political and economic situation in Ukraine fairly well. The Ukrainian Free University operates in Munich, created by previous generations of Ukrainian emigrants in Germany. Researchers of Ukrainian history and politics work within Slavic Studies in some leading European universities, but clearly, this is not enough. After the start of the war in Ukraine, the intellectual community of Europe discovered this country and began to look at Ukrainian history and politics differently.
You are part of the team of the Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnonational Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Tell us about this institution.
Our institute has brought together a strong team of specialists in the field of political science and ethnonational studies. Each is a serious expert in their field and could hold a high position in the state, as is the case in other countries. I think that my colleagues will become increasingly in demand in Ukraine, as the intellectual component of state governance will be more important than ever for Ukraine in the near future.
Your area of scientific interest lies in the study of the Jewish community in Ukraine. Today in Europe, authorities are trying to create new legislation dedicated to the development of Jewish life and the fight against anti-Semitism. How do you assess these efforts by Brussels in this direction?
European experts have created a unique EU strategy to combat anti-Semitism and fostering the Jewish life until 2030. It has been so successful that even the White House is working on a similar program for the United States today, and specialists in Washington are trying to learn from this experience and create similar legislation. Ukrainian experience in this regard can also be valuable. The presence of a Jewish president in one of the European countries is an inspiring example and an objective reflection of the position of Ukrainian society on the "Jewish question."
Who do you think will be the next president of Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky?
He can still run for a second term, and I think he will be elected if he wants to. However, the Ukrainian political landscape is very dynamic and unpredictable, so it is difficult to make predictions.
Today, Europe unanimously supports Ukraine, but how can we ensure that the West does not lose interest in the country in the future?
Important task for the Ukrainian authorities is to form a pro-Ukrainian lobby in Brussels. Until 2022, Russia was among the leaders of countries that lobbied for their interests in European institutions. However, nothing has been heard yet about professional Ukrainian lobbyists. I dare to suggest that if Ukraine had been constantly discussed and debated in Brussels since 2014, the situation with Crimea and Donbass would be completely different today.
What do you think, will there be a war between Israel and Iran?
The events in Ukraine have greatly influenced the attitude towards the Iranian regime. The Iranian regime went too far in its desire to overthrow the "Zionist regime" in Kyiv and showed what types of weapons it possesses, selling much of it to Moscow. Now, together with the United States, Israel will have to ensure that Iran's military industry no longer produces or supplies anything to Russia, North Korea, or any other similar regime in the world.
How do you assess the prospects for war between Russia and Ukraine in the near future?
I think Ukraine will soon win. I would also like to say that we are witnessing a unique historical event: the collapse of the Russian Empire. We are approaching a decade of unjust and aggressive war waged by the empire, and this will end just as the war in Afghanistan ended for the USSR.
Thank you for the interview.
Thank you too.