On April 18, 2018, a high-level U.S. delegation visited V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, one of Europe’s oldest universities, and had a two-hour exchange with students on a number of issues – from political risks and geopolitics to national security and economic partnership between the US and Ukraine.

The delegation included the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2003-2006) and Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center John Herbst, the first U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Popadiuk and Assistant Deputy Defense Minister for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia in the Administration of Barack Obama Evelyn Farkas. The discussion was moderated by the Acting Rector of the university Dr. Vav Bakirov. 

The meeting was held as part of a two-day public discussion “A New Look at the U.S.-Ukraine Partnership" organized by the largest American non-governmental analytical center for international relations Atlantic Council ("Atlantic Council") and the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. It focused on ways to attract domestic and foreign investors in the region, energy self-reliance and expanding U.S.-Ukraine cooperation at business and state levels. 

"The whole world woke up to the aggressive policy of Russia. And we will help Ukraine deal with its aggression. We believe that the love of freedom and democratic values ​​demonstrated by the Ukrainians deserve the respect and support of the global community. Therefore, it is important for us to convey to the young people that the US will always be on their side”, noted Ambassador John Herbst. 

"This is my first time in Kharkiv, and I am very glad to be here. Partly because of the romantic image that I have had of Kharkiv. I read many reports on how Russia tried to invade the country, and Kharkiv resisted. Because your authorities and people knew perfectly well what was going on and did not allow the outside forces to take over public buildings. I have always used this example in the United States as proof that it is possible to combat Russia’s hybrid war. You need to know what you are doing and what you are dealing with. Local people demonstrated wisdom and courage”, said Evelyn Farkas. - Ukraine is part of the international legal order. It has the right to determine its own future independently, and citizens have the right to choose their allies and to be a democracy. I believe that the international legal order, the international community and international law will withstand the challenges that Russia creates not only in Ukraine, but in other countries as well. Today, the US, the EU, and the entire world community want Ukraine to succeed more than ever."

"Ukraine went through three great revolutions, where people fought for their democratic values, which greatly sets them apart from Russians. Today, you have to fight for this freedom. It seems to me that Russia has been getting too much attention lately. Yes, it has its own vision of the world. However, Russia cannot affect democracy", believes Ambassador Roman Popadiuk.