On Tuesday, the Ukrainian President’s spouse, Olena Zelenska, visited the University of Ljubljana (UL), where she learned about the University’s activities to help students and professors from Ukraine. She was also scheduled to give a lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FDV) on the same day, but the Ukrainian side cancelled it for unknown reasons. Unofficially, we have learnt that it was due to the announced protest by Russophiles, and that the Ukrainian First Lady was also attacked during her visit to the National and University Library (NUK).
Olena Zelenska will probably remember her visit to Slovenia for some pleasant experiences, but even more so for the open hostility of the Russophiles, whom she could meet at every turn.
On Tuesday, Zelenska, accompanied by the husband of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Aleš Musar, visited the National and University Library (NUK). According to several media reports, the event was accompanied by a minor incident when an unidentified man allegedly shouted at them that Russia would win the war in Ukraine. The police have reportedly written the man up, but it is not clear whether they have initiated any proceedings against him.
Russophiles announce protest in front of the Faculty of Social Sciences
In the morning, the Ukrainian First Lady was also scheduled to visit the Faculty of Social Sciences, where she was supposed to give a lecture closed to the public, but the Ukrainian side cancelled it, the faculty confirmed to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA). According to the Press Agency, the cancellation happened just before the event was about to start. The Press Agency has therefore asked the Ukrainian Embassy in Slovenia about the reasons for the cancellation. They are still waiting for their response. Meanwhile, on Monday, the pro-Russian movement “Slovenia against Russophobia” called online for people to take part in a protest to be held in front of the Faculty of Social Sciences during Zelenska’s visit.
The main purpose of Zelenska’s visit to Slovenia is her participation in Tuesday’s annual meeting of the Advisory Board of the ITF – the Foundation for Enhancing Human Security, which will focus on the humanitarian needs of Ukraine. At the event, together with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yulia Sviridenko, Zelenska presented Ukraine’s humanitarian needs in the field of assistance to war victims.
C. Š.
