Last week, the JFK Jr. Forum hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a moderated discussion with former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Belfer Center Director Ash Carter. Speaking virtually from a bunker in Kyiv, Zelenskyy called upon
The Ukrainian President has emerged as a hero, leading his country with resilience through Russia’s harrowing invasion of Ukraine.
Cormac Savage ’25 reflected on the tangible sense of admiration and respect amongst the audience. “Everyone in the room understood the place Zelenskyy has in history and admired him for his fortitude,” she said. “Even appearing virtually, the awe was palpable.” With over 2,000 RSVPs for limited in-person seating, the live streamed event was the Forum’s largest in attendance since before the pandemic.
In his opening remarks, Zelenskyy reiterated the urgency of Russia’s invasion, a sentiment he has conveyed at other public appearances at the United Nations, the G7, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He emphasized the need for the international community, which included the audience of professors and students from the College, Kennedy School, Business School, and Chan school alike, to recognize Russia’s dangerous and veritable nuclear threats. After Russia’s annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhy, it is imperative to act quickly, he proclaimed.
As Zelenskyy highlighted, military and civilians alike—soldiers on the front line, children collecting donations and delivering water, and healthcare professionals providing for the wounded—are stepping up to defend their country, culture and dignity. Resilience and determination are characteristic of the Ukrainian people. Annabelle Krause ’25 noted that it was impossible to forget that he was calling in from a bunker while in the midst of war.
The audience grasped onto the President’s every word, grateful for an hour of his time. Hannah Bottarel ’24, co-chair of the Forum, reflected that the experience was particularly meaningful for Harvard’s Ukrainian students, who had the opportunity to pose questions to the President. One student asked about the role of Harvard students as aspiring leaders who want to help restore their own country.
“Never stop,” Zelenskyy affirmed, especially in war. While the world “strives for peace,” it is “leadership that makes this happen,” he said. Zelenskyy reminded the audience of Harvard’s history of training successful world leaders, who are all united by the “ability to move ahead first, in anticipation.”
His undeniable strength and devotion to his country rang powerfully, exemplifying the purpose of the Forum as a place not only to engage in conversation, but to ignite activism and inspire leadership.
Alice Khayami ’25 (alicekhayami@college.harvard.edu) basically lives at the JFK Jr. Forum.