Resignation towards the war in Ukraine ignores not only the ongoing atrocities but also their implications for underlying European narratives. Now is the moment to rethink political orthodoxies, says Ukrainian author and curator Vasyl Cherepanyn in his contribution to the “Lessons of War. The rebirth of Europe revisited” series.
In the fourth part of the series “Lessons of War. The Rebirth of Europe Revisited”, Ukrainian philosopher, journalist and author Volodymyr Yermolenko defends the idea that in order to survive today's neo-imperialisms, Europe must find a balance between its “two hearts”: the desire for peace and the need to defend itself.
Europe's response to Russian aggression rejects colonial power dynamics and includes financial, political and military support. The outcome of Ukraine's struggle will shape Europe's post-colonial future, says Romanian political scientist Veronica Anghel in her contribution to the “Lessons of War. The Rebirth of Europe Revisited” series.
Despite the rejection last year, Georgia once again has the opportunity in 2023 to obtain candidate status with the EU. The majority of the Georgian population aspires to EU membership.
Responding to Dutch writer Arnon Grunberg's letter about democracy in Europe and how fragile it is, Ukrainian author Oksana Zabuzhko expresses nostalgia for the era of political naivety and belief in the end of history. She argues that the continent is still divided, and that the current war in Ukraine reveals the flaws in European memory and cultural memorialisation.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of Russians fled to Georgia and Armenia. More than a year on, many have stayed, finding ways to fight Putin's war from abroad. OC Media and CivilNet met some of them.
After the invasion of Ukraine, four fossil-fuel industry bodies began a concerted campaign on social media to portray investments in gas and related infrastructure as the key to secure energy supplies, finds environmental news outlet De Smog.
War has become a struggle over the past, as states try to rewrite history to justify their current aggression. Europe must recognise and disarm the viruses of collective blindness and nationalist madness, and that this is done by processing memory and culture. Words cannot stop tanks, argues prominent Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinov, but they can help those who are deceived by fake news and propaganda.
According to documents leaked to the media, Russia has been secretly developing a plan to annex Belarus gradually over the next few years. So far, president Lukashenka’s regime has done nothing to stop it, on the contrary, says Belarusian journalist Igor Lenkevich.
Nine years after the Revolution of Dignity and one year into the full-scale Russian invasion, the border between Ukraine and the EU is increasingly defined by death. Overcoming this border is essential for peace, justice, and the future of Europe, believes Ukrainian author Kateryna Mishchenko.
