DCU hosts Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Kyslytsya for discussion with students and staff

On 6 November 2025 DCU hosted H.E. Mr Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine as part of his official visit to Dublin. H.E. Mr Kyslytsya addressed DCU students and staff, followed by a lively discussion of the European security landscape in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

H.E. Mr Kyslytsya and H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine in Ireland, were welcomed to DCU by Prof. Charlotte Holland, DCU's Dean of Global Relations, and Prof Derek Hand, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The discussion was moderated by Dr Tanya Lokot, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Communications. Staff and students from across DCU, as well as representatives of DCU's newly established Ukrainian Society, took part in the event.

Speaking at the event, Prof Holland noted Ireland's commitment to supporting Ukraine. She further highlighted DCU's hosting of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's video address to Irish students in November 2022 and the work of the Irish Refugee Integration Network (IRIN).

Prof Hand underlined the engagement of DCU's academic staff in supporting research on human rights, rule of law, justice and accountability, as well as solidarity through ongoing collaborations with Ukrainian HEIs and support for displaced Ukrainian researchers and students in Ireland. He said:

"We believe in the power of building connections and meaningful global engagement, and the First Deputy Minister's visit to DCU supports the University's mission as a European university in a globally connected world."