The activist historian
In a recent article in The Guardian (“Russia Wins by Losing,” Nov. 28), Yale history professor Timothy Snyder spoke concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A renowned scholar of Ukrainian history, Snyder noted that Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy encouraged him to raise funds in support of Ukraine. Snyder’s first thought was to restore the Chernihiv library north of Kyiv, a Gothic structure that survived two world wars but was destroyed in March by Russian bombs. Recognizing that the nation of Ukraine faces an existential threat, Snyder has taken the lead on a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1.25 million to purchase an anti-drone system to defend against incoming bombs. Half the goal has been reached.
Snyder is offering to the public online a Yale undergraduate course entitled “The Making of Modern Ukraine.” The course has had more than 4.6 million views on YouTube from 70 countries. It includes analysis of the Great Famine in Soviet Ukraine between 1932 and1933 during which as many as 5 million Ukrainians perished, a direct result of Joseph Stalin’s foreign policy.
Russia’s “president” Vladimir Putin has stated there is “no historical basis” to recognize a Ukrainian people and that Russia has been “robbed” of people and territory. Russia’s strategy is to destroy the infrastructure of Ukraine to force Russian control over Ukrainian citizens and territory. Snyder believes that a decisive defeat of Russia will bring needed reforms to Russia’s regime.
Five suggestions: First, learn about Ukraine’s history. Second, encourage U.S. billionaires to step up and provide support. Third, recognize that President Biden’s leadership and U.S. military aid have been indispensable in defending Ukraine and Europe against Russian aggression. Fourth, to prevent a long ground and air war with no end in sight, NATO needs to act. If that widens the conflict in the short term, so be it. Fifth, support Snyder’s fundraising for the Shahed Hunter Drone System at bit.ly/3Bg2x1z.
Dale Graden
Moscow
