Lithuania and Ukraine: A Shared History That Shapes Our Future

On November 19, Ukreate Hub had the honor of hosting an insightful discussion titled “Lithuanian-Ukrainian Heritage: Lessons from History for the Present”, featuring the renowned historian Professor Serhii Plokhy. The conversation, skillfully moderated by Maksimas Milta, explored the deep historical connections between Ukraine and Lithuania and their relevance in today’s world.

Watch the Full Discussion

Interested in diving deeper into this conversation? The full recording is available here

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

1000 Days of Resilience
As Ukraine marks 1000 days since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the discussion highlighted three major misperceptions about Ukraine that were prevalent at the war’s outset—misperceptions that have now been proven entirely unfounded.

Revisiting Ukraine’s History through The Gates of Europe
Professor Plokhy’s acclaimed work, The Gates of Europe, offers a compelling lens for understanding Ukraine’s history. However, a crucial question emerged:
What is the most challenging aspect of this historical narrative for those unfamiliar with the subject?

When Did Ukraine Stop Being “The Gate of Europe”?
This thought-provoking question led to a broader discussion on Ukraine’s geopolitical significance, its historical role as Europe’s frontier, and how this perception has evolved over time.

About the Civil Consciousness Club

This discussion was part of the Civil Consciousness Club, a joint initiative by Ukreate Hub and the Ukrainian Youth Group in Lithuania. The club is committed to fostering meaningful dialogue on cultural, social, and historical issues, providing a unique space for Lithuanians and Ukrainians to engage critically with both history and present-day challenges.

For this special event, we were proud to collaborate with the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University, further strengthening the academic and intellectual exchange between our communities.