France Expands Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies to 16 Universities

France Deepens Commitment to Ukrainian Studies Coalition

According to МЗС: France has significantly increased its involvement in the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, with the network now encompassing 16 academic institutions. This expansion was a key outcome of the Ukrainian Week in France, held from March 24 to 31, 2026, across four cities: Grenoble, Metz, Rennes, and Paris. The event forms part of the broader 'Voyage to Ukraine' cultural season in France, highlighting the nation's strategic academic and cultural engagement with Ukraine.

New Partnerships and Institutional Support

A series of new cooperation agreements marked a pivotal moment during the week. Specifically:

• Sciences Po Grenoble signed a letter of intent, signaling a strong commitment to fostering academic ties.
• The University of Lorraine in Metz will concentrate on policy and memory studies, underscoring the relevance of these themes within Ukrainian studies.
• Université Lumière Lyon 2 and Université Bordeaux Montaigne also signed memoranda to join the Coalition, confirming their dedicated interest in Ukrainian affairs.

Furthermore, CMI Rennes, INALCO, and Sorbonne Université agreed on concrete steps to bolster Ukrainian-focused content within their curricula, a crucial move for the development of this field in France. This academic initiative is seen as a direct response to long-standing information campaigns targeting Ukraine. As First Lady Olena Zelenska noted: 'For decades, Russia has used Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russkiy Mir foundation to spread disinformation. Ukraine is now forging its own voice within the European academic community.'

The event was organized and supported by the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, the President of Ukraine's Foundation for Education, Science and Sports, and the Ukrainian Institute. Other key participants included:

• The Crimean Platform
• The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea
• The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
• The Embassy of Ukraine in France
• Sciences Po
• HEIP
• Université de Lorraine
• Sorbonne Université
• Université de Rennes
• Université Rennes 2
• Sciences Po Grenoble

This development underscores the growing importance of collaboration between Ukrainian and French institutions in promoting Ukrainian studies internationally. The expansion of the coalition and the signing of new agreements reflect an intensification of academic links and a deepening interest in exploring Ukrainian culture, history, and politics. Such partnerships are vital for countering disinformation and ensuring Ukraine's narrative is robustly represented on the global stage.

The expansion of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies in France comes at a time when awareness of Ukrainian culture is gaining momentum worldwide. This is particularly relevant as initiatives like the 2024 campaign to highlight contemporary Ukrainian culture on Wikipedia aim to further elevate Ukraine's cultural presence internationally. Such efforts underscore the importance of academic and cultural collaborations in shaping a more informed global narrative about Ukraine.