We had the honor of hosting Serhii Plokhy, the Mykhailo Hrushevsky Professor of Ukrainian History at Harvard University and one of the world’s leading experts on Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe, at Ukraine House, where he presented his latest book, “The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power, and Survival.”

During the night, we discussed the history of the causes and implications of the Budapest Memorandum, the ethical dimensions and consequences of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the role Ukrainians played in the development of both the American and Soviet nuclear programs, and current global nuclear challenges involving North Korea, Iran, and russia.

Ukraine House is grateful to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, for her opening remarks, in which she thanked Serhii Plokhy for his tremendous work and for supporting the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies launched by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. She also presented him with a sign of appreciation on behalf of the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States.

We would also like to thank Kateryna Smagliy for her excellent moderation of the discussion, as well as everyone who joined us to learn more about history and explore Ukraine’s story in greater depth.

Our gratitude goes as well to the co-organizers of this important event, the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA, the UNWLA -  Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Inc., and the Washington office of the Shevchenko Scientific Society.