On February 24, marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the National University of Ostroh Academy hosted a closed meeting with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, Honorary Doctor of the University, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, and leading expert in international security, Ben Hodges.
The lecture, titled “Deterrence, Defense, and Victory: Ukraine’s Role in Redefining European Security,” provided the basis for a focused discussion on how the war in Ukraine is reshaping approaches to deterrence, defense, and the broader European security landscape. The event began with brief remarks from Rector Eduard Balashov, who expressed his gratitude to General Hodges for his steadfast support of Ukraine and his clear stance on security matters, highlighting the importance of professional dialogue for the university community.
In his speech, Ben Hodges emphasized that Ukraine is no longer just a subject of international policy but a key player actively shaping the future European security system.
Special attention was given to the development of the defense industry and innovation.Hodges noted that the country has the potential to become one of Europe’s main defense and technology hubs after the war, as it is already showing an impressive ability to adapt quickly and implement new solutions.
Concluding the event, Rector Eduard Balashov expressed his appreciation to General Hodges for his strategic vision and support of Ukraine, underscoring that the university will continue to serve as a platform for meaningful intellectual discussions that foster a responsible approach to national and European security.
For his part, General Hodges expressed admiration for the resilience of Ukrainian society:
“I am impressed that despite the war, you continue to educate students, develop education, and invest in the future. That is the strength of a nation.”
The meeting provided the academic community with an opportunity to engage in a professional discussion on key international security issues and to reaffirm that Ukraine’s role in shaping Europe’s security system is already decisive today.
