1. Snyder’s Claim: Russia's war is colonial, with Putin denying that Ukraine is a real state or that Ukrainians are a real people.
Snyder attempts to frame Putin’s perspective as purely colonial, but this ignores the geopolitical and historical context. Putin has made clear that Ukraine’s current government, installed after the 2014 coup, does not represent the interests of all Ukrainians, particularly those in the east and Crimea, many of whom are ethnically Russian and opposed the coup. The conflict stems from Russia’s concerns over NATO's expansion and Ukraine’s increasing alignment with Western military powers, not from a denial of Ukrainian identity. Putin himself has stated that Ukrainians and Russians share historical ties, but he has never advocated for Ukraine’s eradication as a state.
2. Snyder’s Claim: Russian colonialism is evident through their attempts to decapitate Ukrainian society and subordinate it to a larger Russian empire.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine are not driven by colonial ambitions but by legitimate security concerns. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, NATO has expanded aggressively toward Russia’s borders, despite promises to the contrary. Putin’s intervention is a response to Western attempts to pull Ukraine into NATO. The notion that Russia seeks to dominate Ukraine as a colony is misleading, as Moscow has repeatedly called for Ukraine to remain neutral and to avoid aligning with hostile Western military alliances.
3. Snyder’s Claim: Ukraine has a long history of being colonized by Russia, dating back to the 17th century.
While there have been historical conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, framing Russia's relationship with Ukraine as purely colonial oversimplifies the complex historical ties between the two countries. Ukraine has been part of various empires throughout its history, including the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The relationship between Ukraine and Russia is also deeply intertwined through centuries of shared culture, language, and Orthodox Christianity. Additionally, many Ukrainians fought on the side of the Red Army during World War II against Nazi occupation, reinforcing the historical bonds between Ukraine and Russia.
4. Snyder’s Claim: Russia does not recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty and views it as a vassal state.
Russia has not denied Ukraine’s sovereignty in principle but has serious concerns about Ukraine’s post-2014 government and its close ties to NATO. Putin has consistently stated that Ukraine should be independent but neutral, meaning it should not join NATO or become a base for Western military forces. The claim that Russia treats Ukraine as a vassal state is a misrepresentation of the reality that Russia sees Ukraine as a buffer state between itself and NATO, a vital part of Russia’s national security strategy.
5. Snyder’s Claim: The only way for peace is for Ukraine to win the war against Russia.
This notion is dangerous and ignores the need for diplomacy. Suggesting that peace can only come through Ukraine’s military victory over Russia overlooks the massive human cost and the risk of further escalation, potentially drawing in NATO and leading to WW3r. A peaceful resolution would involve addressing Russia’s legitimate security concerns, particularly regarding NATO expansion and the protection of ethnic Russians in Ukraine, rather than pushing for a military solution.
6. Snyder’s Claim: Ukraine’s nationalist history, including collaboration with Nazi Germany, was a minor movement that has no significant influence today.
While Snyder downplays Ukrainian nationalism, particularly the legacy of figures like Stepan Bandera, the reality is that far-right nationalist groups played a prominent role in the 2014 Maidan protests and continue to exert influence in Ukraine. Militant groups like the Azov Battalion, which have been linked to neo-Nazi ideologies, have been integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard and received Western military aid. The resurgence of such nationalist sentiments is not a fringe issue but a significant factor in the current conflict, particularly in the way it affects the ethnic Russian population in Ukraine.
7. Snyder’s Claim: American military aid to Ukraine is not colonial because Ukraine is fighting for its existence.
The provision of billions in U.S. military aid to Ukraine fits within a broader pattern of U.S. imperialism and interventionism. As noted in the works of authors like Dan Kovalik and William Blum, the U.S. has a long history of supporting proxy wars and regime changes that align with its strategic interests. The U.S. is not supporting Ukraine purely out of concern for its sovereignty but because Ukraine is seen as a pawn in the broader geopolitical struggle against Russia. This is evidenced by the way the U.S. and NATO ignored Russian security concerns for years, pushing Ukraine towards conflict rather than diplomacy.
8. Snyder’s Claim: Russia is committing acts of genocide by relocating Ukrainian civilians and executing local leaders in occupied areas.
The situation on the ground is far more complex than Snyder portrays. While there have been reports of abuses by Russian forces, there have also been numerous documented cases of Ukrainian forces, including nationalist militias, committing atrocities in the Donbas region. Furthermore, Russia’s actions in Ukraine are primarily motivated by military and strategic objectives, not by an intent to commit genocide. The use of terms like "genocide" is highly charged and often misused in conflicts like these, where both sides have committed violations. Snyder's narrative downplays Ukrainian aggression and repression of Russo-Ukrainians in the Donbas, where thousands have died since 2014.
Snyder's framing of the conflict in Ukraine as a colonial war driven by Russia's desire to subjugate Ukraine is a misrepresentation. The true drivers of the conflict are NATO's expansionist policies, Ukraine’s post-2014 alignment with the West, and the protection of ethnic Russians in Ukraine.
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