Congratulations from Leonid Kuchma on the 80th anniversary of the Institute of International Relations

The Educational and Research Institute of International Relations is extremely grateful to receive congratulations from Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine in 1994-2005, on the 80th anniversary of its foundation! 

‘Dear friends!

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

If this anniversary had come at a more peaceful time, I am sure that my greeting would have been longer. I would probably start with the diplomacy of Kyivan Rus, the Hetmanate and the liberation struggle, and move on to European integration processes. I would probably talk about the unique talent pool and recall the luminaries of Ukrainian diplomacy with whom I had the honour of working. And my congratulations would be sincere, and all these things would be correct - for those calmer times.

But today I will say briefly: Ukraine's fate is being decided on two fronts - the military and the diplomatic.

Hold your front firmly.

Ukraine is behind you.

I wish each of you health and further success in the name of the Ukrainian state.

Sincerely,
Leonid Kuchma’