UB President Satish Tripathi released a statement Monday expressing UB’s solidarity with Ukraine and its people.
Tripathi’s statement came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24. The New York Times has reported that at least half a million refugees have already fled the country.
“As we look upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine with disbelief, anguish and horror, our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people and the extended Ukrainian family across our community, across our nation and around the world,” Tripathi wrote. “In the moments and days ahead, we will continue to watch and hope that Russia will deescalate its rhetoric and violent actions, and retreat from the sovereign nation of Ukraine.”
Tripathi added that Ukraine should be able to exist without the fear of a military invasion. He reiterated that UB is a vibrant international community that accepts people from all backgrounds.
“The University at Buffalo community stands in solidarity with Ukraine for their inalienable right to remain as a free republic and to live peacefully without fear of oppression by military invasion,” Tripathi wrote. “As an inclusive and welcoming international community, the University at Buffalo greatly values our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends from all backgrounds and nationalities.”
The recent actions by the Russian government have spurred anti-war protests in Russia and across the world. At UB, Friends of Ukraine hosted a protest in the Student Union Sunday.
Julie Frey is a senior/news features editor and can be reached at julie.frey@ubspectrum.com
Julie Frey is a senior news/features editor at The Spectrum. She is a political science and environmental studies double major. She enjoys theorizing about Taylor Swift, the color yellow and reading books that make her cry. She can be found on Twitter @juliannefrey.
