Istanbul Medeniyet University Social Academy Club held a conference titled “What’s Happening? Russia-Ukraine Crisis” on March 23, 2022 at Istanbul Medeniyet University Aşık Paşa Conference Hall. In the event, with the participation of Istanbul Aydın University Faculty Member Prof. Tarık OGUZLU, Marmara University Faculty Members Assoc.Prof. Vugar IMANBEYLI and Prof.Emre ERSEN and our university’s International Relations Department member Prof. Özden Zeynep OKTAV, the causes and consequences of the Russia-Ukraine crisis that started on February 24, 2022, as well as the impact of this crisis on the world were discussed. Approximately 180 listeners attended the event, which attracted great interest from students and academicians, and the event was moderated by Prof.Özden Zeynep OKTAV.
In the event, Russia-Ukraine Crisis was discussed with its past and present, and experts in their fields discussed the issue from an academic point of view together with its historical background. Prof. Tarık OGUZLU examined how the political tension between Russia and Ukraine was dragged into a war, including armed conflict, by considering the historical process and made analyzes on this issue. Assoc. Prof. Vugar IMANBEYLI explained Russia’s reasons for being in Ukraine under the title of “Why is Russia in Ukraine”. He discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine within the framework of international law and explained Russia’s unjust existence in Ukraine with its reasons. Prof. Emre ERSEN conveyed to the audience how the Russia-Ukraine war was reflected in global politics and how the war was received globally, with analyzes. He underlined that Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, while trying to stop NATO’s expansion towards Russia’s borders, succeeded in strengthening the Western alliance even more. The coordinator and speaker of the program, Prof. Özden Zeynep OKTAV, on the other hand, conveyed to the audience what kind of path Turkey followed in foreign politics in the face of the crisis. He stated that the war contained many crises and opportunities for Turkey in terms of relations with both Russia and the Western world. OKTAV stated that Turkey followed a policy of balance by keeping diplomatic channels open with both Russia and Ukraine and stood out in the international society by displaying a remarkable diplomatic success.
The event ended after the question and answer session.
