"Not only the war for territories but also for the principles we hold dear. Those of freedom and truth." Ukraine's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and former journalist, Emine Dzhaparova, met with students of the Luiss University's journalism Master's program and delivered a Lectio Magistralis.

In remembrance of the Ukrainian flag, the azure drapes of her dress are adorned with golden designs. On stage, lights contend with embroideries, challenging the folds. Originally from Crimea and of Tatar ethnicity, even before the outbreak of the war, it seemed senseless to her that no one had grasped the danger of Putin. "We must understand that the war did not start on February 24th but in 2014. We were celebrating, but we hadn't realized that something had begun. This time it wasn't a game, no talk of wine and champagne. The bombs were real." Link to video of the Lectio Magistralis by Leonardo Pini and Niccolò Ferrero.

To precede her words, the director of the School of Journalism and the Italian Digital Media Observatory, Gianni Riotta, wanted to recall the previous year's Lectio Magistralis, featuring David Sassoli, a recently deceased journalist and former President of the European Parliament. "We are fighting the third world war of information. As David said, we will not be intimidated."

Since the conflict began, Russian army attacks have created a new and inevitable future for the minister's life. "The first thing I do in the morning is check that friends and family are online on WhatsApp, especially those enlisted, to make sure they are alive." Her routine has been overtaken by negotiations, travel, and a view from ten thousand meters above the bombs. "I cried when, fleeing home, I touched the suitcase that held my life. The second time was on a plane for a diplomatic trip. I was in first class and felt a strong sense of guilt. But I had to contain myself, thinking that I was doing my duty."

After more than two months of war, for Vice Minister Emine Dzhaparova, some attitudes still appear senseless. "When I was a journalist in 2014, no one expected Russia to invade Crimea. International organizations thought that giving Putin my land was enough, but now they know it's not. Negotiations are weakness for him."

Responding to questions from journalism master's students, the vice minister does not hide her mix of interest and confusion towards the Russian propaganda machine. "I have never seen such a complex machine. We have established the Ministry of Information to study Russian disinformation tactics and how it operates. We have rebuilt the media destroyed on the ground because the best weapon is the truth. We must understand why these media bubbles don't burst; there is no rational thought inside."

On the battlefield, amidst bomb blasts and fake news, it is the citizens who bear the brunt of every attack. For the vice minister, "With a deficit of 5 billion per month, every aid is necessary." Injured, killed, but also deported. Since the beginning of the conflict, about 900,000 Ukrainians have been "refugees" in Russian territory. "During the siege of Mariupol, the Russians opened a humanitarian corridor. One million Ukrainians were deported, without rights or safety. Our country cannot follow them beyond the border, and we don't know what their fate will be."

Applause fills the silence that decorated the room during Vice Minister Emine Dzhaparova's lecture. "If you don't want to see me cry, please sit down," she comments, laughing. "I will return to Ukraine carrying all your support to share with my colleagues and comrades."

For the final greetings, behind the lectern on stage appears Andrea Prencipe. "We must create new rules for ourselves and for the future," says the rector of Luiss University. A speech that finds common ground with the former minister's words. Collaboration, solidarity, but above all, presence. "The fact that she is here sharing her ideas with us is the first step to rebuilding our future together for a better Europe."