On 4 October, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and current Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, spoke to students in a discussion hosted by the KCL Ukrainian Society and the Ukrainian Students Union.
The Bush House Auditorium was abuzz with excitement as attendees began taking their seats, rapidly filling the largest venue at King’s. Many had travelled from all over the UK to meet Zaluzhnyi.
Dubbed the ‘Iron General’, Zaluzhnyi led the successful defence of Kyiv and recaptured more than half of the territory lost to the invading Russian forces. His leadership has garnered widespread support from Ukrainians, making him a prominent figure of resilience during the ongoing war.
For many in the audience, this was not just a chance to meet a public figure, but a unique opportunity to express their sincere gratitude to a man they deeply respected and admired.
The Importance of UK-Ukraine Cooperation
During the discussion, Zaluzhnyi underscored the importance of strengthening the partnership between Ukraine and the UK in view of the current negotiations of the 100-year partnership — an agreement to build enduring links between the two countries in trade, security, technology and education.
Zaluzhnyi reaffirmed that the UK “is a reliable partner and ally” for Ukraine and expressed a commitment to the development of cultural diplomacy. After all, he argued, relations between two countries represent the relationship between their peoples.
The Changing Nature of Warfare
In particular, Zaluzhnyi dwelled on the subject of military cooperation. Zaluzhnyi argued that military practices remained fundamentally the same from the Korean War (1950-53) until 2022. However, the situation changed dramatically in 2023, as drones operated using artificial intelligence began to be used on the battlefield.
According to Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian forces have been transformed into an “army of the future”, making them an invaluable partner for the UK’s military development. However, Ukrainian success is heavily reliant on the domestic production of weaponry to guarantee its timely availability. Given Ukraine’s strained wartime economy, this initiative necessitates significant foreign investment. Therefore, robust military cooperation remains a mutual priority.
Looking Towards the Future
Lastly, the Ukrainian Ambassador insisted on the crucial importance of Ukrainian youth for their country’s future. Recalling his time as Commander in Chief, Zaluzhnyi declared that he was always against mobilising those under 25 because their skills and values are indispensable for shaping Ukraine into a better state.
In his own words, “Young people aged 18 to 25 must be protected as much as possible… These are the people who will save this country.”
The event culminated in a charitable auction, in which a Ukrainian flag and Zaluzhnyi’s bestseller biography ‘The Iron General: Lessons of Humanity’ were drawn as prizes.
The auction was a resounding success, raising an impressive total of £4500, which will be donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the purchase of drones.
Find out more about the KCL Ukrainian Society’s initiatives here.
