On November 7-8, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) will host Ukrainian Days. The aim of these days is to commemorate Ukraine's fight for freedom and to discuss legal accountability for Russia's war. The program will include an international scientific-practical conference titled “Law and Russia's War Against Ukraine” and an evening fundraising event dedicated to collecting donations for children in Ukraine affected by the war.
Conference on Legal Responses to Aggression
The international conference “Law and Russia's War Against Ukraine” will bring together legal and policy experts from various countries to discuss legal measures against aggression and accountability for war crimes. This conference is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Lithuanian membership in the Council of Europe (CoE) and to Lithuanian presidency of the CoE's Committee of Ministers. The goal of the conference is to address relevant legal issues arising during times of aggression and states of emergency. A scientific study titled “The Impact of War and Extraordinary Situations on Law in the Context of Aggression Against Ukraine” will be presented, prepared by MRU and foreign scholars.
The conference will cover three essential topics. First, it will examine the legal challenges of armed conflicts, presented by Lithuania's vice minister of Justice Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė, who will discuss efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for investigating crimes of aggression, while other experts will analyze the issues of genocide and international crimes in Ukraine. Second, discussions will focus on ecocide and the perspectives of international law, featuring MRU scholar Prof. Dr. Paulo Pereira and guests from Ukraine who will highlight ecological security and nuclear threat issues arising from Russia's actions in Ukraine. Finally, legal current affairs related to Ukraine will be discussed, where MRU scholars and Ukrainian legal experts will address constitutional issues, human rights protection, and the organization of elections during wartime.
Evening of Support for Ukraine at the Museum of Applied Arts and Design in Lithuania
The evening charity event will bring together Lithuanian and Ukrainian artists, community leaders, and anyone wishing to contribute to supporting Ukraine. Guests at the event will enjoy performances by students from the Čiurlionis Arts School, the creative group “Star” of Ukrainian children, and soloist Olha Chubareva from the National Opera of Ukraine.
Speeches will be delivered by Ukrainian Ambassador H.E. Petro Beshta and MRU Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė. The event will feature an auction where unique works of art and historical relics will be available for purchase, including Valerii Zaluzhnyi's vyshyvanka. The funds raised from the auction will go to the “Lawyers for Ukraine” support initiative, which helps children affected by the war.
Guests will also have the opportunity to donate individually. At the end of the evening, informal communication will take place, promoting the solidarity of Lithuania and Ukraine and strengthening mutual ties.
On November 8, the MRU community—teachers, students, and staff—will enjoy Ukrainian borscht, which will be prepared in a large pot in the university courtyard by chefs from the restaurant “Smachna Hatyna.”
“Ukrainian Days” is an invitation to stand in solidarity, contribute to aid for Ukraine, and discuss the legal foundations necessary to ensure justice and stability in Europe.