Ukrainians Will Never Forget Putin’s War in Ukraine and Europeans Will Remember It Far Longer that Most Think, Morozov Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 8 – Wars end and today’s enemies eventually become friends while today’s allies become opponents; but according to Aleksandr Morozov, “Ukrainians will never forgive” the war Vladimir Putin has launched against them. and Europeans who provided so much help to Russia in the past to no avail will remember it far longer than many assume.

            The Russian philosopher at Prague’s Charles University says Ukrainians will remember for decades because so many Ukrainian families have been affected by death or forced migration and none of the usual methods of restoring trust will work for those who have suffered such losses (novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/08/09/pereosmyslenie-cherez-katastrofu).

            Moreover, Morozov argues, what Putin has done this year will reopen all the old wounds Ukrainians have suffered at the hands of Russians in the past; and consequently, there will be no reason for any Ukrainian to trust Russians ever again. In addition, Russia’s neighbors won’t trust Moscow, and Europeans will doubt that any further aid will lead to its transformation.

            Russians need to recognize their responsibility, he continues. “This is what we have done” and that is the case regardless of what position or action we took earlier. The only thing that does matter is what we Russians will do in the future, Morozov says. Only that has the potential to make a difference.

            For the present, “we are alone,” although we can be grateful to those like Adam Michnik and Andrius Kubilius who have expressed hope for our future. But these Europeans are far fewer than Russia will need if it is to recover its position anytime soon. And while it is good to have such friends, they won’t change the weather in Europe anytime soon.

            “Now, Europe looks and sees: [in Russia,] there is no society. Nothing.” And “that is the end to any historic trust.” Fifteen million Russians voted against Putin’s constitutional amendments two years ago, but now they have failed to act on their convictions with regard to this war, Morozov suggests.

            Those Russians abroad talking about the future don’t have an audience, he continues. And so their words while welcome don’t have the impact they imagine. What is needed, Morozov says, is a fundamental change in course first in society and then in the state. Until that happens, the future for Russia and not just Russia is dire indeed.