- January 11, 2025
- 5:52 pm
- World News
“Here it is more (appropriate) to compare with the Arab-Israeli confrontation, where in place of Russia there is the Arab world, in place of Ukraine there is Israel.
In the Arab world, the talk is about erasing Israel from the map.
Also in Russia we are talking about erasing Ukraine from the world map.”
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, many historians and analysts have tried to find historical parallels that could help explain the conflict.
Popular comparisons often included the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, the division of Germany after World War II, or the Korean War.
However, according to the professor Ukrainian Catholic University Yaroslav GritsakAh, all these examples do not reflect the essence of what is happening. In an interview Radio NV he suggested a more accurate analogy is the Arab-Israeli confrontation.
Why is the comparison with the Finnish War incorrect?
In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, seeking to expand its borders and gain strategic control over Karelia. However, Stalin's main goal was not the destruction of Finland as a state or the assimilation of the Finnish nation. In contrast, Russian policy towards Ukraine is clearly expansionist and colonial in nature.
“Stalin did not set out to destroy Finnish identity. Putin, on the contrary, openly declares that Ukraine as a state and the Ukrainian nation should not exist. This makes the Russian-Ukrainian conflict unique,” Gritsak emphasized.
Russia and Ukraine: parallels with the Arab-Israeli conflict
Gritsak offers a deeper historical perspective, comparing the current conflict to the Arab-Israeli standoff.
“In the Arab world, there has long been a goal to erase Israel from the world map. This is reminiscent of Russia’s actions towards Ukraine, which seeks to destroy Ukrainian identity, culture and statehood,” he noted.
An analogy with the Arab-Israeli conflict allows us to see similarities in geopolitical dynamics:
- General Enemy Target: In both cases, we are talking not just about territorial disputes, but about the liquidation of an entire nation.
- The role of external assistance: Both Israel and Ukraine receive significant support from Western democracies.
- Symbolism of resistance: Both Israel and Ukraine have become symbols of the struggle for survival surrounded by aggressive opponents.
Why can't Russia win?
Gritsak believes that sustainable peace is only possible if Russia is defeated.
“The aggressor must suffer strategic defeat to stop the cycle of violence. We saw this with Nazi Germany and other conflicts,” he said.
He also emphasized that Ukraine, like Israel, is obliged to fight for its independence in all possible ways, otherwise it will face the fate of an oppressed colony.
Historical Lessons and the Importance of Identity
Gritsak recalled that Ukrainian identity is one of the key reasons for the conflict. Russia seeks to erase it, considering Ukraine part of the “great Russian culture.” However, such attempts only lead to increased resistance.
The table below illustrates the key parallels between the situation of Ukraine and Israel:
| Factor | Israel | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| Enemies | Arab countries | Russia |
| Target of enemies | Destruction of the State | Elimination of nation and statehood |
| Western support | USA, Europe | USA, Europe, NATO |
| Resistance | Victory in wars | Successful defense and counter-offensive |
Who is Yaroslav Gritsak?
Yaroslav Gritsak is a professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, a recognized historian and the author of numerous works on the history of Ukraine and Central Europe. His books, such as The Passionate Decade, help to understand the complex historical processes affecting the modern world. Gritsak actively speaks at international conferences and publishes in reputable publications, presenting the Ukrainian point of view on global events.
Importance of analysis for Israel
Ukrainian-Israeli ties play an important role in the modern geopolitical context. Both states are “islands of democracy” in their regions. Israel can learn from Ukraine's struggle, and Ukraine, in turn, draws on Israel's experience of surviving under constant threat.
Our website NAnews – Israel News continues to cover key events affecting relations between Israel and Ukraine. Read more analytical materials and exclusive interviews.
Conclusion
Comparing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict with the Arab-Israeli confrontation allows us to better understand the goals and mechanisms of modern warfare. Jaroslav Gritsak's analysis emphasizes the importance of resistance, preservation of national identity and international support.
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