Swedish Historian: The Greatest Service to Ukrainians Is to Acknowledge Ukraine Exists
Swedish academic Stefan Hedlund argues that acknowledging Ukraine's existence is the most important support for Ukrainians, as Russia refuses to do so, and that rational discourse with those who romanticize Russia is impossible.
At the HeadRead literature festival in Tallinn, Swedish historian Stefan Hedlund, whose primary focus is Russian and Central Asian history, engaged in a conversation with Estonian academic Aimar Ventsel.
Hedlund stated that the greatest service we can do for Ukrainians today is to acknowledge that Ukraine does exist, which the Russians refuse to accept. He emphasized that Ukraine has a right to exist, with a Ukrainian language, literature, state, and nation.
He also criticized academia for being too focused on Russia and supported efforts to decolonize and broaden curricula.
Regarding common misconceptions about Russia, Hedlund noted that it is "impossible" to argue with people who claim to love and romanticize Russia, its culture, and history. "A person who is in love is not rational. So, you cannot have a rational discourse with people who believe that Russia is this wonderful Russia," he said.
