Crisis in Ukraine – The Insider’s Perspective
7. 4. 2017 Author: David Erkomaishvili Ongoing crisis in Ukraine has been discussed at an event organised by the department of International Relations and European Studies at MUP, on Thursday 30 March. The guest-lecture entitled “Challenging Sovereignty: How Russia Exploits its Diaspora in the post-Soviet Space” was given by Ms Anna Arutunyan a Russian-American journalist and writer.In her role as a correspondent for USA Today she covered Russia's annexation of Crimea and the military conflict in East Ukraine. The guest lecturer discussed the issues related to conflicts in Ukraine and Georgia, Russian interventions in those conflicts and the role of Ukraine for Russian sovereignty. Ms Arutunyan particularly focused on highlighting the differences between Crimea and Donbass conflicts. In this context, a possibility of bandwagoning of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine with the the precedent of Crimea has been discussed.
Another point raised during the event was an issue of status of Russian-speaking minorities in the post-Soviet countries which by being unable or unwilling to integrate minority groups thus disenfranchise them. In the conditions of deteriorating geopolitical relations between Russia and different post-Soviet states such policy can result in providing Kremlin with the opportunity to exploit mistreatment of Russian-speaking minorities for political purposes.
As an example a minority in Ukraine was analysed. The lack of representation of their identity and interest in eastern regions of the country resulted in those groups’ vision of Russia as an alternative to Kyiv.
The guest lecture on Russian power, politics and media was held as part of the course Areas Studies: the Post-Soviet Space.
Other items from the/this section
Digital Extremism and Emerging Threats: Insights from Expert Lectures at MUP
5. 5. 2026 Author: Oldřich Bureš
In April 2026, the Center for Security Studies and the Department of International Relations and European Studies at Metropolitan University Prague hosted thought-provoking lectures examining the evolving landscape of violent extremism. Delivered by Sean McCafferty and Adam Hanzel, both Marie Skłodowska-Curie GLOCTER Project PhD fellows, the sessions explored how terrorist actors exploit the digital environment and how new, harder-to-define forms of extremism are reshaping traditional security frameworks. Together, the lectures offered students a comprehensive look at both the online dynamics of contemporary terrorism and the emerging challenges posed by accelerationist and nihilistic violent extremist movements.
Metropolitan University Prague Receives a Gift of 74 Books on Japan
23. 4. 2026 Author: Michal Kolmaš
Metropolitan University Prague has received a valuable donation of books through the Read Japan grant project, organized by The Nippon Foundation with the support of the Embassy of Japan. As part of this generous gift, the university library has added 74 books on Japan, including recent academic publications, art books, and important works of Japanese fiction.
An Event to Remember: MUP International Lunch!
31. 3. 2026 Author: Berkcan Tokyay
On Friday, March 27, taking full advantage of MUP's amazing 'no classes on Fridays' schedule, it was time for our traditional MUP Lunch Event. Over 50 exchange students and also MUP Buddy Team members shared their local foods, drinks and created an international environment for the lunch.