President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb discussed and met with community members at the University of Helsinki.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska visited the University of Helsinki on Wednesday, 19 March, together with President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb.
The two presidents talked at the event Europe Standing with Ukraine and answered questions from University community members.
The presidents reminded students of the importance of remaining hopeful and their potential to make a difference in the world.
Student Ilona Sorri asked what Finns can do for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy responded appreciatively that Finns had sent a strong message to political leaders in the early stages of the war by showing their support for Ukraine both on social media and in the streets.
Presidents and their spouses met with students
Before the event, President Zelenskyy and First Lady Zelenska met at the University with Ukrainian students as well as students focusing on the language, culture and history of Ukraine.
In addition, the presidents' spouses Olena Zelenska and Suzanne Innes-Stubb met with leaders and professors of the University of Helsinki and Tampere University. At the meeting, Rector Sari Lindblom of the University of Helsinki and Vice President Jarmo Takala of Tampere University signed a letter of intent to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, a network promoting teaching and expertise associated with Ukraine.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska donated both Ukrainian books and books on Ukraine to the National Library of Finland, Helsinki University Library and Tampere University Library.
"It is a tremendous honour to host the Ukrainian and Finnish presidents and their spouses at the University of Helsinki. We have long maintained close links with Ukraine and promoted education and research in the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian culture. We are pleased that our students and other community members now had the opportunity to meet and greet the presidents," says Rector Sari Lindblom.
The event and meetings were part of the official visit of the President of Ukraine to Finland.
Support for students and researchers
The University of Helsinki and its community members have supported Ukrainians in a range of ways throughout Russia's war of aggression. For example, persons whose degree studies at Ukrainian higher education institutions have been suspended by the war have received the right to complete non-degree studies free of charge at the University.
A crisis fund supports researchers and students, both those transferring to the University and those already here. University units have contributed to protecting Ukrainian researchers and students by acquiring targeted external funding.
