How Ukraine's fight for independence changed global views about Russian control
Since Russiaʼs full-scale attack almost 3 years ago Ukraine showed world its strong will to be independent. New research explains why Russian control over Ukraine might become history like many forgotten territorial claims
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
