In this presentation, SUNY Empire faculty and administrators will discuss the past, present, and future of Ukraine, and what, from their perspective, still needs to be done to keep Ukraine an independent democracy.<br><br>The Ukrainian people have a long record of expressing an independent national consciousness, and of fighting for their independence from Russia as well as other neighboring states. However, Vladimir Putin, as part of the justification for Russia's invasion of its neighbor, has denied that independent consciousness, and argued that Ukrainians are really just Russians. This session will also address the impact, both emotional and physical, that the Russian aggression has had on the remaining Holocaust survivors in the Ukraine.<br><br>Panelists will include SUNY Distinguished Professor of History Ian Reifowitz; Associate Dean of the School for Graduate Studies Eileen Angelini; and Associate Professor of Security Studies and Scholar Across the College Cathryn Thurston.