Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Global Scope, Lessons, and Prospects

Olena Prokopovych, PhD

Topic: Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Global Scope,Lessons, and Prospects
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Place: Irondequoit Country Club: 4045 East Ave. [14618]
Time: 6:00 Cocktails; 7:00 Dinner; 8:00 Speaker Presentation followed by Q and A
Cost: $60 per person ($62 if paying online), buffet style. Cash Bar
Dinner: Buffet style – 2 protein options, 1 vegetarian option

***Registration Policy: For reservations, please email MemberServices@WACROC.org and remit payment ($60/pp) to: WACR, PO Box 25462, Rochester, NY 14625 OR
go to Meeting Registration – World Affairs Council of Rochester (wacroc.org) and register on-line ($62/pp to cover bank fees) no later than September 1, 2026.

The war in Ukraine has far-reaching implications for international security, democracy, foreign policy, and the
global order. Dr. Prokopovych will provide insight into the proximate and fundamental causes of Russia’s
aggression, the initial and evolving international response, and the increasingly global scope of the conflict.
Her presentation will explore the transformation of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration,
Europe’s response to the growing transatlantic rift, and Ukraine’s remarkable military innovation and civilian
resilience. She will also examine the feedback loop between the global decline of democracy and the erosion
of international security, the many dimensions of Russia’s hybrid war, and the broader lessons the conflict
holds for the international community.

Olena Prokopovych is an associate professor of political science and director of the Political Science Under-
graduate Program in History, Politics and Law department at Nazareth University. She earned her B.A. in
Political Science and Economics from Williams College and her Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University.
Olena was born and raised in Ukraine and keeps active connections with her native land through family,
friends and professional contacts. At Nazareth, Olena’s teaching and research interests include social and
health care policy, U.S. constitutional law, modern and contemporary political philosophy, and recent
democratic backsliding. Since 2015, she has been regularly teaching a course titled “Ukraine, Russia and the
West: Historical Roots of the Current Crisis” and has been a frequent speaker on the topics connected with the
war in Ukraine on WXXI public radio and in the community.

Olena has been actively involved in a partnership program connecting Nazareth University, National University
of Ostroh Academy in Ukraine and Rochester’s Ukrainian-American community and was one of the leaders of
the inaugural study abroad trip in Ukraine for Nazareth students, faculty and staff in 2019. Olena lives in
Fairport with her husband David Tang, a partner at the Underberg & Kessler law firm, and their 16-year old
twin boys. Olena’s mom and stepfather were among the millions of Ukrainian refugees who were forced to
leave their homes in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion. After three years in Germany, they have returned
to Ukraine despite the risks.