The Kidnapping of a Nation

In Ukraine, as in many other countries, we are accustomed to seeing films where trains or planes fall victim to hijacking by criminals or terrorists. When qualified railway workers and pilots manage the situation, travel proceeds smoothly and safely, and passengers are well aware of their destinations and arrival times. They follow the staff's instructions. But as soon as unqualified hijackers take control, chaos ensues and significant losses occur.

Unfortunately, Ukraine's political system has bred an excess of selfish hijackers who seek to seize control by sidelining those who are more qualified and have good intentions. I refer to this as the kidnapping of a nation.

Thirty-five years ago, equivalent to one generation, Ukraine emerged from the restrictive Soviet-Russian system into an (at the time) unknown world. The world they knew came to a halt, and Ukrainians were forced to survive in new conditions as best they could. Both private and state treasuries were empty. The nation was divided along linguistic, economic, and political ideologies, ethnic and regional loyalties, as well as residual ties to the old familiar world.

Unlike its western neighbors, which were quickly embraced by the European Union and NATO, Ukrainians faced indifference. None of Ukraine's western neighbors endured the intensity and duration of repression against languages, traditions, culture, religion, education, and information—all measures designed to uproot Ukraine from its historical place in European civilization and absorb it into an authoritarian, colonial, or distorted Asian model.

This kidnapping of a nation has led to many problems that Ukraine faces today. As the country strives to reclaim its identity and place in the world, it must overcome not only external challenges but also internal conflicts that hinder its development.

Now, as the war continues, Ukraine has the opportunity to reflect on its past and focus on the future. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will continue to resist Russian attacks, which is particularly important in the context of honoring the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-33, when millions of Ukrainians suffered during the famine caused by the Soviet regime.

On the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, commemorated on November 26, 2022, Zelensky assured that Ukrainians would not surrender and would continue to fight for their freedom and dignity. This spirit of resistance permeating the nation is a testament that, despite all hardships, Ukrainians are ready to fight for their place in the world.

In this context, it is crucial for Ukraine not only to restore its territorial integrity but also to build a new political system that prevents the repetition of the history of the kidnapping of a nation. This requires efforts from all citizens to ensure that Ukraine's future is in the hands of those who truly care about the country's well-being.