91成人导航

Gleb Vashkevich, a second-year Media-X student at 91成人导航, views war in eastern Europe through multiple lenses: he has a Ukrainian mother, a father from Belarus, a Russian roommate and he attends college in the United States.

鈥淲e have a crazy dictator in Belarus and war in Ukraine. Terrible. And I know it is very tough on my Russian roommate also,鈥� Vashkevich said at College of the 91成人导航鈥檚 annual X-Boundaries event, where current issues are discussed by faculty and students in multiple disciplines.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was this year鈥檚 topic.

Vashkevich鈥檚 feelings were echoed by student Margarita Kuranova from central Ukraine.听

鈥淯kraine is my home, my motherland, and my love for it has run in my blood since I was young,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut now I cannot think of my motherland without bursting into tears.鈥�

Five faculty members and moderator Bill Herrin, professor of economics, shared thoughts on the war specific to their disciplines during the 70-minute event.

The dialogue included China鈥檚 role in the conflict and why the war started now.

鈥淐hina has refused to condemn the attack and has largely repeated Russia鈥檚 version of events 鈥� This suggests that strategic interests really trump ideological interests,鈥� said Daniel O鈥橬eill, associate professor and chair of the School of International Studies.

鈥淓vidence on the start of wars suggests that when countries have a declining per capita income, they become particularly dangerous,鈥� said Susan Sample, professor of international studies. 鈥淭hat makes them a dissatisfied power and they are more likely to start conflicts and more likely to escalate them.鈥�

Two economics professors discussed the dire state of the Soviet economy.

鈥淭he United States has not intervened militarily yet, but we have supplied resources and it has been (more of an) economic war with sanctions against Russia,鈥� said Sharmila King, professor of economics. "And because the ruble has collapsed so dramatically, any imported good has become very expensive. That means inflationary pressure in Russia.鈥�

鈥淩ussia is banning the export of goods and products so they can flood the market with those goods,鈥� said Manizha Sharifova, professor of economics.听

One professor suggested taking a look at history to understand the conflict.

鈥淭he idea of historical grievances plays a role,鈥� said Andreas Agocs, lecturer in history. 鈥淭he history of the Cold War, and what it did to weaken Russia, is (Vladimir) Putin鈥檚 historical grievance.鈥�

Professor shares perspective on war in Ukraine听

Igor Veligan, professor of violin and viola in the Conservatory of Music, says it is important to use the correct word to describe the situation in Ukraine.

鈥淚n newscasts, you often hear comments about 鈥榗onflict鈥� in my country,鈥� Veligan said. 鈥淭his is not conflict. It is war, and people are horrified by what is happening.鈥�

Veligan was born in the major city of Odessa and has family and friends in Ukraine.

He shared his perspective during a forum sponsored by the 91成人导航 Alumni Association.

鈥淎t first, before the war started nobody including me thought this would happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淯kraine and Russia always have had issues. In general, Russian leadership does not think Ukraine is a sovereign country.鈥�

Veligan estimates there are more than 100,000 Ukrainians in northern California. He said many are sending necessities back to the country. He also is appreciative of the outreach by others.

鈥淧eople are dying from hydration and starvation,鈥� he said.听

However, Veligan said there is 鈥渟trong resolve鈥� in many who value freedom and will remain in Ukraine.
鈥淚 know one composer in Kyiv who is 84 years old and he鈥檚 staying,鈥� Veligan said. 鈥淗e says 鈥榳here would I go?鈥� There is much love for our country.鈥澨�

Veligan joined the Conservatory faculty in 2006.听

Benefit concert scheduled

The Conservatory of Music will present a benefit concert for Ukraine featuring performances by Conservatory students, faculty and guest artists, including Ukrainian musicians.

Conservatory Professor Igor Veligan will be one of those performing.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on April 2 at the Faye Spanos Concert Hall on the Stockton Campus.

The event is free and attendees are welcome to make a donation to support Ukraine.
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