Over last few years Ukraine became known world-wide for its strong resistance and viral war-time messages (which include the famous Z symbol anti-russian memes and bold slogans like “be brave like Ukraine“)
The core message from Eugene Finkelʼs new book shows how Ukrainians main wish is simple: they dont want any Russian control over their land; they reject Moscowʼs claims about shared identity. Its important to note that Russian leadership still thinks about some mythical “historical brotherhood“
Our national idea: Leave us the fuck alone
History shows many examples where territorial claims just fade away with time - like German desire for East Prussia or Polish claims to Lviv. The same could happen with Russian obsession about Ukraine: its not set in stone. Back in early-1900s Russia wanted control over Galicia region but now even hard-line Russian groups dont talk about western Ukraine anymore
Security and identity are two main things driving Russian actions. While NATO membership might help with security part; the identity issue needs more work. The good news: Russian ideas about shared origins with Ukraine arent that old – they came from 19th-century nationalist writers
Education plays big role in changing peoples minds: Soviet Ukraine showed this in 1920s when school programs helped create distinct Ukrainian identity. Similar approach worked with fighting anti-jewish feelings: younger people who got new education were more likely to help Jews during war-time
Today Ukraine shows amazing unity against invasion (something very different from past times). More people speak only Ukrainian now; soviet-era monuments are gone; and many cut ties with pro-kremlin relatives in Russia. The world started to see Ukraine differently too – more countries recognize Holodomor as genocide; and many folks learn Ukrainian language
- EU membership could help Ukraine
- Democratic reforms need to continue
- Strong national identity matters
- Western support stays important
For real peace Russia needs to change its view about Ukraine but this might take years. Still history shows such changes are possible - even without full democracy in Russia‚ just needs political will to accept Ukraine as separate nation