50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich Gave Public Lecture “Where is the United States going and what does it mean for Ukraine?” at the Invitation of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation

On May 16, Newt Gingrich, 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, at the invitation of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, gave a public lecture “Where is the United States going and what does it mean for Ukraine?”. More than 400 Ukrainian students, scholars and opinion-makers were among the listeners of the lecture.

In his remarks Newt Gingrich mentioned the US President Donald Trump's position towards Ukraine-Russian situation: “I think a lot of people worried that Trump said positive things about Putin, that he would be a man who would betray or abandon Ukraine. I think that now it is very clear that this is not the case. He would like to find the way to break through with Putin if Putin would agree to be part of normal society. But that would require Putin to give up Crimea, to pull out troops from Eastern Ukraine.”

“Donald Trump very much wants to find a way to insure that we get a peaceful solution in Eastern Ukraine. How he gets there I am not quite sure. But they are assembling a very smart strategic team. These people are working with these problems every day, they are very determined. I think that this is the best national security team,” said Newt Gingrich.

Speaker Gingrich also emphasized that successful Ukraine would help to create a free society in Russia. He explained that a free and prosperous Ukraine would inspire Russian citizens to aim to these standards.

Addressing the young people in the audience, Speaker Gingrich said: “If you want to become a successful leader, you have to listen to people around you. You have to learn from them. If you listen and learn from them you will help them. When you help them they will ask you to lead.”

In addition, Newt Gingrich explained why Donald Trump has won the Presidential elections: “Americans were fed up with traditional politicians. He was elected for changes and he is in the process of changing.” He added that Donald Trump “is different – he doesn’t think like them, he doesn’t behave like them, he doesn’t fit the rules.”

The discussion was moderated by businessman and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk who invited the future leaders of Ukraine to shape proper messages that Mr. Gingrich would bring to the US. Students' questions included the role of human rights in US foreign policy, the relations of the US with Ukraine, global warming, propaganda, and other topics.

Besides giving the lecture, Newt Gingrich met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman as well as young Ukrainian reformers.