During the “old regime” we have heard a lot about the “aggressive NATO bloc (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization)”. Only after the collapse of the USSR did more and more Ukrainians recognize the North Atlantic Alliance role in curbing the aggressor (which is real, unfortunately) and peacekeeping. And while Ukraine is on its way to NATO, NATO is approaching us step by step.
On November 11, Alexander Vinnikov, Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine, director of the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine, visited Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies. Mr. Vinnikov arrived in Dnipro to participate in the first international medical conference in Ukraine “The Organization of Security, Counteraction and Emergency Response in Eastern Ukraine”.
Dr. Igor Shchupak, director of Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” together with Dr. Yehor Vradii and Maryna Strilchuk conducted a museum tour for the honored guest. Having left after this on his business, Mr. Vinnikov specially returned to receive books. His interest was attracted by the “Tkuma” Institute publications on the Holocaust history, as well as school textbooks, which, in accordance with the state program, say about NATO. Opening the textbook page with an interview with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General (see: I. Shchupak. World History. Grade 11. – K.: Orion, 2019. – P. 19), Mr. Alexander said: “Yes, this is my boss; we recently saw each other”.
We will not retell the discussion about NATO’s attitude towards the current aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We will only say that to Mr. Vinnikov’s question on how to buy books, Dr. Igor Shchupak replied that the price was acceptable: direct military assistance to Ukraine. Thus, when this happens – please remember who agreed)))
Of course, it was a great honor to present a book to the distinguished guest. Mr. Alexander chose only 5 books in English, Ukrainian and Russian, saying: “I want to take only those books that I will read”.
He promised to return. – We are looking forward to!