News

VU Business School Will Explore the Challenges of War for Ukrainian Business

2022-12-12T14:16:32+02:00

Although there have been a number of academic studies on the impact of crises on the business ecosystem and practical recommendations on how to ensure the sustainability of business processes in times of crisis, there is hardly any research on the management of business in wartime. The Business School of 91��ɫ (VU) will try to fill this gap by signing a cooperation agreement with the Lviv Business School of the Catholic University of Ukraine. The researchers will undertake a relatively new area of business research - they will investigate the functioning of Ukrainian business and propose possible forms of business organisation during military conflicts.

According to Dr Birutė Miškinienė, Director of the VU Business School, although the circumstances of the cooperation are determined by dramatic events, the planned joint research is extremely significant.

"In the face of war, we must each do what we do best. As an organisation and a community, we have supported Ukraine from the very beginning, working with our partners to make sure that Ukrainian students receive scholarships and are able to continue their studies. We are sure that the involvement of researchers from the VU Business School is also important. The vitality of the business ecosystem is important for Ukraine's war-torn economy, but there is virtually no objective assessment of the situation and no research on how to sustain it. This is where our researchers will focus their efforts", says Dr B. Miškinienė.

The Catholic University of Ukraine is a private higher education institution operating in Lviv since 2021 with more than 2,000 students in six faculties. The Lviv Business School, which is part of the University, offers Master's degrees in marketing, technology, innovation, HR management, as well as Executive MBAs, training and consultancy for organisations.

The impetus to seek academic partners in Ukraine and to develop research on business management in wartime environments came about when Nataliya Lahotska, a researcher from Ukraine, joined the VU Business School. Fleeing the war with her two minor children, she approached various European universities for work opportunities. The VU Business School responded to her request and employed her, and the university provided her with free accommodation. According to Dr B. Miškinienė, Director of the VU Business School, the first reaction was a human one - to help the family settle in, to provide a safe and supportive environment that would help them to forget, at least for a while, the horrors of the war, and then to look for a way to ensure the continuity of her scientific career. This was achieved with the financial support of the Lithuanian Research Council and the Marius Jakulis Jason Foundation.

"We believe that the opportunity to continue a career interrupted by war is very important for everyone, especially for scientists. We can already see the opportunities it opens up: new academic cooperation networks are forming, unique research opportunities are opening up, which will enrich management competences at the international level, and will help Ukraine to revitalise its business sector more quickly," says Kotryna Stankutė-Jaščemskienė, Head of the Marius Jakulis Jason Foundation.

N. Lahotska has been working as a young researcher for Lithuania's re-joining of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitoring (GEM) study, and she is also working with researchers from the VU Business School to investigate the changes in the behaviour of business organisations in Ukraine during the war. She is currently back in Ukraine collecting data on the situation of Ukrainian businesses and working remotely at the VU Business School.

"Business schools in Ukraine are more oriented towards business practitioners and usually offer postgraduate studies for professionals who have already gained experience. Due to our more practical and consultancy-oriented specialisation, we do not have a strong tradition of business research in Ukraine, so my experience at the VU Business School has been very useful for me as a researcher. The opportunity to be part of the Lithuanian research team in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitoring Survey is worth it alone - I hope that after the war is over, my experience will help Ukraine to join this initiative sooner and monitor its own country's entrepreneurship index," says N. Lahotska about her experience in Lithuania.

Speaking about her research on Ukraine's entrepreneurial ecosystem during wartime, she says that, despite everything, war is one of the forms of human activity and existence, and science cannot ignore it.

"Research during wartime is not only important for gathering facts. It is much more important to preserve them, to evaluate them and to learn the lessons", says the Ukrainian scientist.

Social Policy Conference to Focus On Lithuania’s Response to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

2022-10-12T11:56:35+03:00

On 14 October, 91��ɫ (VU) Theatre Hall (Universiteto g. 3) will host a social policy conference “The Path of Life and Crises Thereof: (How) Does Lithuanian Social Policy Work?” The event is set to explore the impact and challenges of social policy responses to crises at different stages of life. It will include a plenary discussion where social policy-makers will discuss Lithuania’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

According to VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, the success of social policy also depends on the leadership of universities. “The crises of recent years have shown that if we want to ensure an effective response, we must mobilize and intellectually empower the public, maintain rational cooperation between politics and science, and listen to the comments and suggestions of scientists,” he says.

According to one of the organizers of the conference Prof. Boguslavas Gruževskis from the Institute of Sociology and Social Work, the conference aims to consolidate the academic and practical social policy community on a national scale and provide a platform for an annual discussion on trends, developments, and future scenarios in social policy.

“Efficient responses to social policy issues not only contribute to the economic development of countries but also to the overall development and stability of global societies. Therefore, the now second conference aims to answer the questions of what is a more effective way to deal with the emerging problems of social policy, and which research in the field of social policy call for development,” the Professor said.

This year’s conference will examine how social policy works in atypical crisis situations: the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and the inflation spike. The conference will also address topical issues such as vulnerable people’s path to higher education, parental leave policy, the situation of women and young people in the labor market, the links between internet use and mental health among older people, and many others.

The event is open and free to all. It will also be streamed live on the VU Faculty of Philosophy’s Youtube account.

Organized by the Department of Social Policy, Institute of Sociology and Social Work.

Conference Programme

Oleg Surajev Gifted Books to Children of Ukraine at the Event Held at VU

2022-09-16T15:17:17+03:00

On Friday afternoon, Oleg Surajev, comedian and founder of the "1K" support fund for Ukraine, gave over 500 children's books from the best Ukrainian publishing houses to Ukrainian children at the Writers' hall in the Faculty of Philology of 91��ɫ (VU). This campaign aims to support Ukrainian culture and invest in the future of Ukrainian children.

"Language is a weapon and a resource of the war in Ukraine. As Russia has declared, there is a "culture war" in which language is not simply a tool but part of the Russian invasion of the region. Therefore, children's books in Ukrainian are the most important cultural investment that can save lives in the future. As you know, in Ukraine, those regions where a large part of the population speaks Russian suffer the most because Russia thinks it has the right to "protect" them. Another problem is that Russian publishing houses are also quite politicized, and cultural propaganda often falls into children's hands. With this and similar actions, we will strive to make more books in the Ukrainian language appeared in Lithuania", said O. Surajev about the event.

Masha, a Ukrainian who visited Writer's hall and has 21 and 15-year-old children, says that this promotion is essential for those who like to read and love books.

"For younger children up to 6 years old, you can still find Ukrainian fairy tales in city or school libraries, but for older children, Ukrainian books are difficult to get. We mostly borrow books from each other. We took one book from home in Ukraine, but we have already read it many times. Now we will read these", she says.

Organisers also invite to act sustainably and pass on the books you read to other families. In addition, a certain amount of books will be transferred to the libraries of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and other cities.

VU Lights Up Its Building in Ukrainian Flag Colors for Ukraine Independence Day

2022-08-24T10:36:37+03:00

On Wednesday, August 24, a special projection of the Ukrainian flag was lit up on the central facade of the 91��ɫ (VU) building (Universiteto St. 3) on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine. Residents and guests of the capital will be able to see the light installation until August 29.

"From a historical point of view (though not only history is essential here), after the collapse of the Soviet Empire, Ukraine finally realized the right and will of the Ukrainian nation to become an independent state. The road of thirty years was winding, with missed opportunities and great turns. But the general direction chosen by Ukrainians was clear and consolidated in many political manifestos, from the Orange Revolution to the Maidan resistance movement.

After February 24, it is clear that a new stage of history has begun in Ukraine. Ukraine has finally established itself in the world. Ukrainian flags hang on the facades and balconies of public and private houses, even in the most distant European cities and towns. From the periphery, Ukraine has become the centre, where the fate of Ukraine is decided not only. August 24 is a holiday for all of us," VU rector prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

The authors of the light projection are UAB Korgas.

VU invites all interested members of the VU community, citizens, and business representatives to contribute to supporting the Ukrainian academic community. Donations can be made on the VU Foundation website. The money donated will reach those members of the academic community in Ukraine who need it most. You can read more about VU's support for Ukraine here.

VU SR Invite Community to Welcome a Ukrainian Student to a Vacant Accommodation

2022-08-08T06:00:00+03:00

As the admissions to 91��ɫ have begun and the start of the academic year is approaching, 91��ɫ Students' Representation (VU SR) invites the members of the VU community to help the Ukrainian students fleeing from the unprecedented war that violates all international rights and who are temporarily building their future at 91��ɫ by providing them with free accommodation - a free room, a part of the house, a free apartment, a place suitable for living in the garden or other premises.

The state and 91��ɫ are doing their utmost to ensure that as many students fleeing the war in Ukraine as possible receive higher education, so VU SR expect a much larger number of new arrivals in the coming semester.

As a large number of first-year students will be joining the 91��ɫ community from September onwards, some of the enrolled Ukrainian students who are still in the process of completing their studies will face a shortage of accommodation.

VU SR is therefore taking the initiative to appeal to our entire community to help by providing temporary accommodation for a Ukrainian student for one semester or at least for a month or two until a dormitory space becomes available.

If you have a spare room, a spare bed in your dormitory, you are going on an exchange for a semester, and your room/space remains empty, you have a part of a house, a spare flat, a habitable garden house or any other premises, you are living in your own/rented premises, and you have the approval of the owner of the property, and you are able to take in a Ukrainian student for one semester free of charge, please fill in the following registration form.

When registering, please indicate what accommodation you can provide and how many people you can host.

If you are leaving on a foreign exchange programme and leave your dormitory room empty, it is possible to give the room to a student from Ukraine for half a year without losing your place of residence, you just have to notify the dormitory administration. The dormitory administration is ready to cooperate and supports the temporary transfer process.

If you have any questions, please contact .

Dr Nataliia Pustovit. Ukraine in the Flames of War: The Story of a Kharkiv Resident

2022-06-15T08:34:53+03:00

February 24, 2022, is a day that will imprint in the memory of my people the first hours of the brutal and bloody war against Ukraine. Hours of the struggle of an independent nation for its land, values, identity, and the right to live on its own territory. February 24 dramatically changed everything…

I was in Kharkiv when russia invaded my country. I woke up at 5 a.m. because of explosions. I quickly got dressed and stared out of the window for a few more minutes trying to find the source of the explosions. It became clear – the war began.

The day turned out to be surprisingly warm and sunny, and the winter almost receded. Early in the morning, there was a motion on the streets: some people packed their bags into cars, and others went to stores and pharmacies. It seemed to me that people were confused. The first thing I did was set up official media on my phone to keep track of the events. Then I went to the store, but the queue was very long which made no sense for me to stand in it. "There's still food, water too", I thought and left the store. The night from February 24 to February 25 was the last time I slept in my own bed. After, I spent a few nights in the corridor of my apartment dressed, with an alarming suitcase, ready to evacuate.

By the way, I did not prepare the alarming suitcase beforehand. I packed it more intuitively right after the invasion because I knew that I might need to have medicine, food for 2 days, documents, and some clothes. Every day the city became louder and louder: russian artillery was working. On my birthday, March 1, an enemy cruise missile hit the building of the Kharkiv Military Administration. My brother managed to congratulate me before the explosion, and only after that, did I learn about the destruction of the building. Sitting in the hallway of my apartment, I felt such devastation which is hard to describe in words. It is like someone took something very dear to your heart from you and trampled your crystal world with a dirty boot.

I will never forget the night when russian aircraft flew over the roof of my house. What helped me to mentally survive that night was the TV and conversations at night with my parents. I think they were scared more than I was. Before going to bed in the hallway, I learned about security issues. In the first few days, there was a lot of information regarding the best shelters within an apartment. I learned the rule of two walls and since then followed it. There was nothing to say about any bathroom as I knew it was very dangerous. At that time, I felt both fear and fatigue, but what I knew clearly from the first days of the war, and what remains unchanged today is an unbreakable faith in our victory.

I was tired and fatigue was growing a little because I did not sleep at all. There was only the illusion of sleep, sometimes a semblance of silence. My apartment is located on the 10th floor, which is an additional risk factor in wartime because the aircraft can get there. Frankly speaking, I was not intimidated by aircraft as my first degree I completed at Kharkiv Aviation University. Aircraft was a common thing for me, I even developed design documentation. My heart indeed was constricted by the rockets that bombed my city and brought death and destruction. After all, at the helm of the fighters were not pilots but pure evil in human bodies.

Day by day the danger of airstrikes began to grow. I started looking for a shelter outside of my apartment and inspected our basement several times. It became obvious that in case of blockages, there would be enough oxygen for a few minutes, then – death. Luckily, there is a subway station not far from my house. Exactly it became my home for a few nights.

In the first days of March winter began returning to the city. It was gloomy and snowy. Every single day more and more people were leaving Kharkiv. The city looked orphaned. It was snowing, nervously and frequently pigeons rose from the roofs of buildings because of shelling. Sleep became a rarity. I had to learn to live under new circumstances. Comfortable clothes and shoes, availability of an alarming suitcase and a well-planned schedule became my priorities. I entered the subway station at 6 p.m. and left at 6 a.m. During that timeframe, the subway was sealed for the sake of our security. Honestly, underground life is a challenge, it is hard but safe. My first night in the subway was very disturbing as everyone tracked the news about Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant which was captured by russian troops. At that time my imagination drew pictures of the apocalypse across the whole continent in the case of a nuclear explosion. Was hard. That night was over.

In the subway I met and talked to many people, the boundaries of social conventionality are blurred there, everything is easier and everyone becomes your good friend. What incredible people were on duty at the station! In the first few days, humanitarian aid had not been yet well prepared, but step by step everything became more organized. I often heard applause in the subway but did not really understand what they were for. Then it became clear: people applauded the volunteers who delivered food, water and medicine. Most of us slept on the floor. It is very cold in the subway and it is easy to catch a cold there. To avoid this, I prepared a construction which consisted of my travel bag, woollen blanket and a pillow. I put the pillow behind my back and leaned on it meanwhile sitting on my travel bag. In a sitting position, I spent my sleepless nights. Later people gave me cardboard which I laid beneath my improvised armchair for additional insulation. Every morning I packed my suitcase and came back to my apartment to take a short nap, but even that was not successful due to a stable air alarm.

Of course, you try to keep yourself in check, be organized, and have a cold head, otherwise, you will lose control over the situation. In my house, there were people, mostly elderly, who could not live on the subway. I helped them with food, medicine and moral support. After a few nights in the subway, I made a decision to evacuate. Due to the constant threat of air attacks, it was necessary to stay underground 24/7. It was almost impossible to get to the railway station by land because the threat of falling under fire was 100%. A group of four daredevils gathered in the subway and decided to go through the tunnels to get to the railway station. The journey took four hours. What must be kept in mind during such "trips" is the following: never step on the wires and move in the opposite direction from the line of tension. Our team communicated well: "Careful, wires!", "Careful, a pit!" The light went out several times, luckily, we had flashlights. It seemed to be an endless dark road, a tunnel somewhere in the mountains of Tibet. Fortunately, the Kharkiv Subway is very simple: you only need to know the station where the transition is made, it is essentially a train route, but you overcome it on foot. Honestly, it was a real adventure accompanied by russian artillery. Even though it could not reach us underground, we heard it well. Approaching each subway station, I noticed there were fewer and fewer Kharkiv residents on our way to the railway station. There were stations half empty. I gazed at people's faces and they looked back at me. I wanted to take them all with me and bring them to a safe place. Noticeable, people were living in the subway for a long time, and they have arranged their lives and communication. Such a micro-town underground.

We had one station left to pass, but the conductor did not let us further, because of the risk of terrorist attacks. We remained blocked one step towards the goal. Fortunately, after a while, we were allowed to approach the final station. And here it is – Pivdennyi Vokzal. We still had to get to the train. The queues in the Lviv direction were incredibly long. Luckily, I was going to Poltava. I managed to find a free place in the coach. In 2 hours the Kharkiv-Ivano-Frankivsk evacuation train took me to Poltava. Then was a night spent in a local kindergarten, checkpoints and finally a tiny town in Poltava Region.

This experience has changed me, my worldview and my values. There were new people nearby who shared my path. This is life. Back on the train, I clearly realized that behind me was not just a city of Kharkiv, but a part of me, because there live my people and my stories.

Kharkiv stays strong, shot and destroyed by the dirty boots of a russian soldier…The city will live, its sky is covered by a yellow and blue Ukrainian flag and faith in the victory of our brave people!

Despite all the difficulties of the war, Ukraine remains a fortress of unbreakable will, unconquered hearts and a strong spirit. Because our code is our fortress: Ukraine above all. Because Ukraine is us! Because Ukraine is me!

Author: Ukrainian Philosopher, Philologist, PhD in Social Philosophy Senior Lecturer at the Kharkiv Polytechnic University, Dr Nataliia Pustovit

Collection Points for Hygiene Products for Ukrainians Are Open in VU Units

2022-03-18T07:10:50+02:00

The Life Sciences Center of 91��ɫ (VU LSC) and the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences (VU CHGF) join the Lithuanian Red Cross initiative and collect hygiene products for Ukrainians in Lithuania from Monday to Friday (March 25).

A hygiene collection point for Ukrainians in Lithuania is being opened at VU LSC premises (Saulėtekio St. 7, Vilnius). Items will be accepted from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The VU CHGF Dean's Office (Naugarduko St. 24, Room 221 and M. K. Čiurlionio St. 21/27, Room 312) will also open a hygiene collection point for Ukrainians in Lithuania. Items will be accepted from March 21. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. On March 25, items are accepted until 12:00 p.m.

During the war in Ukraine, some Ukrainians had to leave home. Most did not have the opportunity to take the necessary items with them. Therefore the Lithuanian Red Cross invites the public to join forces once again in gathering hygiene products for Ukrainians in Lithuania. It is emphasized that only specifically listed hygiene products are collected.

The public is invited to contribute by donating:

• Shampoo for adults and children;
• Shower gel for adults and children;
• Toothpaste for adults and children;
• Toothbrushes for adults and children;
• Toilet paper;
• Women's packages;
• Shaving blades;
• Diapers for children (best sizes 3 and 4).

Collection locations in Vilnius:

VU Life Sciences Center, Saulėtekio str. 7, Vilnius, Mon–Fri from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
VU Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Naugarduko str. 24, room 221 and M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21/27, room 312, Mon–Thur 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Fri until 12.00 p.m.
A. Juozapavičiaus st. 10A, Vilnius, Mon–Sat from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Konstitucijos ave. 3, Vilnius (Textile container from Lvovo st., Near the municipal building), Mon–Sat from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VU Political Analyst Jurkonis: Putin Will Be History Very Soon

2022-03-14T07:35:55+02:00

The Kremlin regards the success story of Ukraine as an existential threat for the survival of its own regime, says Vytis Jurkonis, political analyst and lecturer at 91��ɫ Institute of International Relations and Political Science (VU TSPMI). He is convinced that Vladimir Putin is already at the end of his road. In a VU podcast titled Mokslas Be Pamokslų, V. Jurkonis argues that Ukraine will undoubtedly win, but the time this will take will also depend on our support.

When Russia started a war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many have raised the question of why Putin decided to attack Ukraine. V. Jurkonis offers several possible explanations on how this may have happened. The first, according to him, was the expectation of a quick invasion and occupation of Ukraine.

‘It is plain to see that this plan did not work out. The extent of Ukraine’s resistance and international support for it was not something they expected. It is important to underscore this point, because, in my view, the plan had been somewhat different,’ says V. Jurkonis.

The second likely cause, according to V. Jurkonis, was the goal of laying waste to the country once a quick victory proved impossible by shelling cities and attacking peaceful civilians so that Ukraine would be hurt as badly as possible even if Russia does not win the war (and there are plenty of indications that it will not).

‘One very important point should be mentioned here. For many years now, the Kremlin’s policy focused on preventing at all costs Ukraine’s becoming a success story: no reforms should be implemented and the country should be seen as a corrupt state. This was done to make sure that a success story like that does not become a massive source of inspiration for the whole region and Russian citizens in particular. The Kremlin views Ukraine’s success story as a certain existential threat for its own survival,’ V. Jurkonis explains.

He thinks another possible – albeit less likely – explanation is the Kremlin’s revenge on Ukraine. According to V. Jurkonis, on multiple occasions, Putin made fairly clear that he doesn’t consider Ukraine to be an autonomous, independent state. Ukraine’s turning to the transatlantic community and adoption of decisions that displeased the Kremlin is something Putin tends to exact punishment for and, as we all see, do so in the harshest terms, he says.

Does it all depend only on Putin?

The war in Ukraine does not depend on Putin alone, V. Jurkonis insists. According to him, there are plenty of Putin’s friends, powerful oligarchs and characters of various kinds with occasional in-fighting that may have had an interest in starting a war in Ukraine. However, V. Jurkonis points out that the Kremlin’s actions do not appear to be adequate: Was there a lack of information in the Kremlin? Was something left unsaid?

‘This is characteristic of authoritarian regimes, as institutions get destroyed over time. When any and all opposing views are being suppressed, few people remain in the dictator’s circle that will object to him,’ says V. Jurkonis.

It sometimes appears, he says, that Putin himself doesn’t have a very clear grasp of what is happening not only in Ukraine but also in Russia. However, we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that he is a sick man, because most of the actions taken in Ukraine cannot happen without the Kremlin’s knowledge. Both Putin and his closest circle are to blame for the war in Ukraine, V. Jurkonis says.

‘Some are asking if the Russian people are to blame. I know for a fact that most of the Russian people feel shame. They feel they are responsible for this and are apologizing. With that said, we should also understand there is a massive effort to eliminate all dissenting opinions in the Russian society, to ‘turn out the lights’ and leave only the brain-washing machinery operating. The goal is to make the Russian population parrot the narrative of the great Russian nation and Ukrainians that are supposedly suppressing the Russians. This is certainly a factor – and not a small one at that. Russia is a huge country and there is plenty of heterogeneity out there, but one part of that heterogeneity is a fair number of people who oppose the war, support Ukraine and would prefer to see a different Russia,’ he says.

Lack of determination in the West

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine back in 2014 and has been stoking separatist conflicts in the eastern part of Ukraine for eight years now, with more than 14,000 casualties. The military incursion of 24 February is but an escalation of the ongoing war. According to V. Jurkonis, the West had no lack of indications and opportunities to reconsider its stance and give a much stricter response not only in words but also in terms of concrete actions to the Kremlin’s continued violations of international law.

‘What is the full extent of the Kremlin’s ambition? In fact, we shouldn’t even be asking questions like these. Maybe your average Joe wants to be the king of Madagascar, too. He may indeed have such aspirations, but it does not follow that everyone should indulge him. Putin may have well some aspirations of his own. One could find an island for him where he would feel comfortable, be the lord and ruler over himself.

The problem, however, is elsewhere: The international community still fails to connect the dots and see a direct link between the violations of human rights in Russia and the demolishing of institutions and independent media. Everyone who says that this would amount interfering with domestic affairs is complicit in the aggression that spills over the boundaries of the authoritarian state,’ says V. Jurkonis.

Not reacting to the crimes in Belarus as a signal for Putin

The 9 August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, which is regarded as rigged by the country’s opposition and Western democracies, was marked by protests of unexpected scale and duration. The 28-year of Lukashenko’s rule, hundreds of thousands of protesters and the regime’s highly brutal response to them have brought the issue of the Belarusian regime back into the European policy agenda. However, according to V. Jurkonis, the inability properly to respond to the unlawful behavior of a country as small as Belarus served as a massive signal to Putin that he is free to do whatever he pleases.

And, Putin made a miscalculation with Ukraine, V. Jurkonis is convinced because the West mobilized around the issue to a much greater extent this time. The response in terms of sanctions and the support from individual countries was far greater than Putin had expected.

‘Putin and the Kremlin’s regime he’s been building are at the end of the road. The end will be colossal, it will be tragic and it will cost dearly. This is but another proof that the man could have left any time he wanted and, whether we like Putin or not, he would not have looked all that bad from a historical perspective. Whereas now it seems that during Putin’s reign, the entire country went off the rails and is hurtling into the abyss,’ says V. Jurkonis.

According to him, there is not much use in analyzing Putin’s psychological profile and attempting to understand his thinking process.

‘There are plenty of books out there on his character, his close circle and family so as to draw up Putin’s psychological profile. It sometimes seemed as if we in the Western world viewed Putin as somebody highly charismatic. As if we were watching a movie. We should ask those killed in Georgia and Ukraine whether this felt like a movie to them. I honestly could not care less as to what Putin is thinking.

What I care about is what we – as a community that values democracy and human rights – are thinking. Are we prepared to defend our values? What Putin is thinking is a third-rate issue. That is not completely irrelevant, of course, but the time for negotiations and considerations of how to appease him is now over. We have tried everything, be it dialogue, resetting of relations or pandering to the man – and none of it worked. Through all of our actions, we encouraged this aggression. We made mistakes and now have to fix them. As for Putin, he will be history very soon,’ says V. Jurkonis.

VU Alumna Petrauskaitė after Returning from Kyiv: The Fact That Our University Implements Initiatives Like That Is of Great Importance

2022-03-10T09:35:39+02:00

‘It is wonderful how people connect, show empathy, and fully understand that if the Ukrainians are unable to hold their ground, the war will extend to Europe and, perhaps, the rest of the world,’ says Oleksandra Petrauskaitė, a 91��ɫ (VU) alumna from Ukraine, speaking in perfect Lithuanian. When Russia started its war against Ukraine and there were sounds of explosions where they lived, she and her family were forced to flee their home. She is now back in Lithuania with her younger sister; their father stayed behind to defend his country and got wounded, and their mother volunteers at a hospital near Kyiv.

O. Petrauskaitė first came to Lithuania four years ago and subsequently completed her Master’s at 91��ɫ Faculty of History. Her ties with Lithuania, however, extend much farther back, she says.

‘My grandfather was Lithuanian. At some point in the fourth year of my undergrad programme in history at Kyiv University, I became interested in the history of Lithuania because of my roots. I was very drawn to the topic of Forest Brothers – and wrote my Bachelor’s dissertation on it. My interest in the country was only getting stronger. I first came to Vilnius four years ago. I liked the city so much that I decided to stay here. I enrolled at 91��ɫ’s Faculty of History, and this is how my life here began,’ says O. Petrauskaitė, having completed her studies in Lithuanian as the language of instruction.

Since then, she fully settled and was planning her future in Lithuania. On 22 February, she briefly returned to Ukraine, to her hometown near Kyiv, to celebrate her sister’s birthday, but two days later, on 24 February, the war broke out. She was supposed to return to Lithuania on 25 February but decided to stay in Ukraine, and she has no regrets about the decision.

‘I was there with my family. Had I been in Vilnius, it would have been much harder emotionally, I think,’ says O. Petrauskaitė.

She remembers how Russia started shelling Ukrainian cities with what probably was ballistic and guided missiles before 5 am, Lithuania time, on Thursday, 24 February.

‘I remember learning about what was happening from reading the news at night with my mother. We needed to decide what we do next. Our thinking was that because the Russian army was not physically present in this war at the time, we would wait until the morning and see how the situation unfolds,’ she says.

Military action did not cease in the morning, O. Petrauskaitė remembers. However, the true extent of the danger, according to her, was not clear at the time.

‘We have become accustomed to this, as we have been experiencing war for eight years now. Neither I nor my parents thought at the time that something terrible was happening,’ O. Petrauskaitė admits.

This is why, on the first day of the war, the family decided to stay at home and try and celebrate her sister’s birthday. They made a cake and visited some friends who lived nearby, while also constantly checking their phones to read the news and follow the course of the day’s events. However, with the Ukrainian military convoy’s passage through the city in the evening, it became clear for the family that they should leave immediately. The suitcases had been packed for this very moment a month ago.

‘We woke up to the sound of explosions in the morning. This was a bit scarier, as a missile exploded just above our house. Then, a jet flew by at a very low altitude. Although it wasn’t very near us yet, the sound was so powerful that it seemed as if everything around us was about to blow up. We lay on the ground and waited for the jet to pass us by. Then, we all quickly got into the car and headed to a village in Zhytomyr district,’ says O. Petrauskaitė.

She and her sister spent a week in this village, situated some 100km away from Kyiv. Their parents stayed there only for a day. Their father returned to the city to defend his country, with the mother choosing to volunteer at a hospital. O. Petrauskaitė also decided to try and help any way she can, starting to translate the news from Ukraine into Lithuanian and English.

‘Like many Ukrainians, I felt utterly powerless, because, physically, I would not be able to stop this nightmare however much I wanted to. I had to do whatever I could in the circumstances. My friends helped me get in touch with some journalists, whom I helped with translating the news. When I learned that my father is standing with a gun in his hands to defend the city at a ‘hot spot’ but had no ammunition or protective gear of any kind, my goal was to try and find what was needed, namely a vest and a helmet. I succeeded. And this is what I keep doing: searching for ammunition for anyone who needs it. Many of my friends in Kyiv or near it currently have no protection,’ she explains.

O. Petrauskaitė decided to return to Lithuania to stay with her loved ones, but her parents are still in Ukraine. Her mother continues to volunteer at a hospital and her father was shot in the leg during a street battle against the Russians. Oleksandra says she does manage to get in touch with her family, but their conversations are usually very short: ‘Still alive? You also still alive?’

The situation is very difficult, but Lithuania and other countries try to help Ukrainians in various ways. 91��ɫ administration and multiple departments are also joining in the effort to help the people of Ukraine suffering from Russian aggression, doing so through symbolic gestures and various initiatives.

In response to the recent events, 91��ɫ has extended the scope of its Grand Duchy of Lithuania Scholarship, established in the summer of 2020, and is now ready to offer tuition-free programmes and financial support to Ukrainian students whose studies and goals of attaining higher education are interrupted. 91��ɫ’s psychologists are also prepared to offer various types of psychological counselling. The University has also launched a fundraising campaign on the 91��ɫ Foundation website, with the donations going to those members of the Ukrainian academic community that need them the most. There are many other initiatives under way, too.

O. Petrauskaitė says that it is wonderful how people connect, show empathy, and fully understand that this war is not just about Ukraine but also about Europe or even the entire world. She points to the fact that Lithuanians stand out from others in that they not only talk or light up one building or another with the colours of the Ukrainian flag but also demonstrate their support with concrete action.

‘I have a lot of respect for Lithuanians for being so active, for taking such an active stance,’ says O. Petrauskaitė.

She emphasizes that continuing to study and maintaining academic routines is of crucial importance now. According to her, this would help to turn one’s attention away from the realities of war and instil some hope, especially among secondary education students.

‘The fact that our University implements initiatives like that is of great importance so that we have not only excellent professionals but also more psychologically resilient individuals in the future. Because if young people are deprived of higher education, depression becomes a real possibility. What you are doing is important and wonderful,’ says O. Petrauskaitė, remarking on the University’s support for Ukrainian citizens willing to study or re-enrol.

VU Psychologists Advise on How to Deal With Disinformation

2022-03-08T06:12:27+02:00

Confusion is currently prevailing in society, making it more vulnerable and more likely to succumb to disinformation. Psychologists from 91��ɫ (VU) urge people not to give in to the emotions which may overwhelm after reading scandalous headlines, but to delve deeper into the content of the message, check the sources and not engage in unnecessary disputes.

Researchers advise that if you are faced with a shocking message but, at the same time, you are not sure whether the message is real:

1. Do not react instinctively

Usually, misinformation seeks to arouse our emotions. And when emotions flow, we often make improper decisions. Take a step back from the message, video, or comment for at least a few minutes and only respond (share, comment, etc.) if it still seems meaningful when you return to it.

2. Delve deeper into the content

Often we only read the headlines. The creators of fake news understand this, and they want us to read just a few words and react. So let's read the whole text or listen to the whole video – this will make it easier to understand which messages are fake. And it is also important to look for other sources – fake news and disinformation are often spread over questionable accounts (like a stranger’s account that was created a month ago and has only a few friends) or emotionally responsive friends. We should check if reliable media sources are talking about that. It is better to react to each news with a little skepticism and believe that it is really true only after finding several reliable sources.

3. Do not provoke conflict unnecessarily

We all have the right to express our opinion and our civic position. And this must be done! However, let us remember that the goal of those who spread lies is not necessarily to convince others as they often seek to incite hostility, conflict, and cause various emotions. Therefore, before you get involved into disputes and discussions, think about the effect that might have.

If you want to develop long-term resistance to fake news and disinformation, VU psychologists propose:

1. To get acquainted with expert advice on how to identify fake news

Then there will be less chance to "get hooked". There are simple ways to figure out which post might be fake – just check who the author is, what his or her intentions are, where the message has already been posted, and if there have been any messages with similar content before.

2. Take an interest in politics

If you have prior knowledge, it will be much easier for you to notice that the information is unlikely to be true. Choose reliable sources, do not rely only on social networks and discussions in their groups.

3. Understand how social networks work

Currently, most disinformation is "floating" on social networks. Find out how social networking algorithms, groups work, and what are the dangers that lurk there. In addition, social networks have trolls (people who deliberately spread disinformation), bots (automated programs that stream disinformation) and it is worthwhile investigating them. Also, help acquaintances or relatives (especially the elderly) who have less skills and knowledge to understand how to navigate the "labyrinths" of social networks.

4. Do not spend a lot of time browsing aimlessly

When we experience a threat, we feel anxious. And when we are anxious, we grab a telephone or other device and very often browse social networks where we may come across fake news. The more time we spend using the internet for no purpose, the more trust in fake news, especially political content, increases. Let’s stop and think about whether pointless browsing is really the best way to deal with anxiety.

5. Emotion management should come first

At the moment, we all feel different emotions when we hear about military factors. The stronger our emotions, i.e. the more we worry, the more anger, sadness we feel, the harder it is for us to understand our emotions, the greater our trust in the fake news. Let’s take the time to control our emotions, for example, you can visit the page.

If you engage in discussions with a loved one who believed the fake news:

1. Respect the other person

We may disagree with another and express our position constructively. Sticking labels on those who think differently, bullying or contempt will definitely have the opposite effect. Even if the other person has clearly believed the fake news, only by acting tactfully will we achieve some result.

2. Take control of your emotions

The discussion is likely to get heated. Even if the other person says things that are "boiling your blood", the best tactic is to remain confident and calm. Accusations, anger, and emotions will not change opinions. Only a slow and calm conversation might change that.

3. Talk to the person individually, avoid group discussions. A person always feels safer, calmer when there is no pressure from the group. It benefits both sides.

4. Do not expect a quick effect

If a loved one believes in disinformation and conspiracy theories, they will not be able to change their minds quickly, it will take more than one conversation. This information is probably deeply embedded in his or her memory and is related to self-perception. In addition, another person may gather completely different information on social networks and media. Beliefs change slowly, so speak patiently, ask questions, help choose sources of information, but do not force your opinion, if possible, start the discussions with topics you both agree on.

The recommendations were prepared within the framework of the project “Elderly Trust in Fake News: Factors and Consequences”, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), contract No. S-MIP-20-11/(1.78) SU-528.

Project Manager Vilmantė Pakalniškienė. Executors: Antanas Kairys, Vytautas Jurkuvėnas, Vita Mikuličiūtė and Viktorija Ivleva.