We are pleased to announce an upcoming two-part academic lecture series hosted in Bratislava within the framework of the EU-funded project Project Management for EU Urban Transformation in the Context of Climate Change and Energy Transition (PM4U), co-funded by the European Union, with the contribution of the AESOP Thematic Group “Transboundary Planning and Governance.”
The event will focus on Ukraine’s path toward European integration, offering a comprehensive exploration of the country’s regional development, modern history, and evolving identity amidst geopolitical challenges. It aims to foster dialogue among academics, policymakers, and practitioners on Ukraine’s European trajectory in light of historical, political, and military developments, particularly in the context of Russian aggression.
Lecture 1: Eurointegration and Regional Development of Ukraine
📅 September 30, 2025 | 16:00–18:00 CET
📍 Venue: Institute of Management, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Vazovova 5, Bratislava (hybrid format)
👤 Speaker: Dr. Ivan Balykin, University of Mannheim, Germany
🔗 Registration link
Key topics: EU–Ukraine cooperation since 1994, regional development under EU influence, governance and planning under Russian aggression, Ukraine’s contribution to EU cohesion, and prospects for EU membership.
Lecture 2: Modern History of Ukraine: The Path to Eurointegration
📅 October 2, 2025 | 16:30–18:30 CET
📍 Venue: Institute of Management, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Vazovova 5, Bratislava (hybrid format)
👤 Speaker: Dr. Ivan Balykin, University of Mannheim, Germany
🔗 Registration link
Key topics: Ukraine’s milestones from 1991–2025, the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, Russian strategy and Ukrainian state-building, the 2022 invasion, national identity, resilience, and EU accession process.
About the Speaker
Dr. Ivan Balykin is an Associate Professor, historian, and legal scholar with extensive academic and public sector experience in Ukraine and Germany. He specializes in modern Ukrainian history, European integration, politics of memory, and the impact of Russian aggression on national identity. He has authored more than 45 scientific publications and is an active contributor to higher education reform and civic initiatives.
Participation
Free of charge
Open to students, academics, policymakers, and the public
Hybrid format (online + onsite in Bratislava)
Official language: English
Certificate of Participation will be provided
This lecture series offers a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of Ukraine’s transformation and its European future through expert-led analysis and discussion.
👉 More information can be found at the following link: https://pm4u.priestoroveplanovanie.sk/content/events/event-uip/
