Timothy Snyder: Both World War II and the current Russian invasion of Ukraine are surrounded by the ideological lies of the Kremlin.

The professor's view on memory and the struggle for resources

The head of the Department of Modern European History at the University of Toronto, Yale University history professor Timothy Snyder emphasized the importance of correct landmarks for memory and Ukraine's central place in the modern struggle for resources. He stated this during the 17th Kyiv Security Forum.

«The current Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as a reason for us to remember the evil of World War II. It is an occasion to recall the history of ideological lies that surrounded both this and that invasion,» – Timothy Snyder said.

He also noted that the struggle for Ukraine was the catalyst for the beginning of World War II in Europe. Germany's attack on the Soviet Union in 1941 aimed to control Ukraine. The professor emphasized the contribution of Ukrainians to the victory in this war, as well as the Kremlin's attempts to rewrite history.

«In Russia, there are people in the Kremlin who would like to use World War II not as an occasion to remind us of what is wrong with fascism, but as a reason to restore fascism. There are also those who consider the German invasion of 1941 as a justification for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022,» – he stressed.

Timothy Snyder underscored the importance of a unique historical opportunity: Ukrainian sovereignty and the ability of Ukrainians to defend themselves can become the cornerstone of the European project.

The 17th Kyiv Security Forum is currently ongoing under the slogan «UA: Unite again to overcome the global aggressor».

Analysis

In his speech, the professor reminded of important moments from the past that are relevant in today's context. He emphasized the need to remember history and the ongoing struggle for resources, especially in light of the events on Ukrainian territory. The mention of Ukraine's role in the victory of World War II and the potential for its influence on the European project is still pertinent today.