Russia's WWII victory monopoly is crucial domestically, as it's their only 20th-century win

He spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"Undoubtedly, it is important for Russia to monopolize the victory over Nazism, because this plays a colossal role domestically in mobilizing Russians. 

After all, the victory in World War II is the only victory that Russia actually achieved in the 20th century, because it lost all other wars. No less important is the foreign policy role – exporting this monopoly externally, because the thesis about those who defeated Nazism covers up Russia's current crimes. And the acceptance of the thesis about Russia's exclusive role in the victory over Nazism, unfortunately, serves as a basis for certain political decisions," the historian commented.

According to him, it is worth recalling how German politicians said that they could not help Ukraine with weapons, because these weapons would be used against Russia, to whom Germany was indebted. There was also a statement by Donald Trump, who believed in a possible alliance with Putin, mentioning American and Russian soldiers on the Elbe River. This actually plays into the hands of Russian ruler Putin.

"Meanwhile, the Ukrainian vision of this war, the Ukrainian role in the victory over Nazism, destroys this monopoly of Russia. Therefore, Putin is actively working to block any attempts by Ukraine to deconstruct these myths. 

Unfortunately, it cannot be said that this year Ukraine actively promoted information about itself, about the Ukrainian experience in World War II. The only positive example of an information product was the publication in The New York Times by seven foreign ministers, including Andrii Sybiha, about the experience in World War II and about Ukrainians during World War II. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian state was unable to carry out other events or public information campaigns, although the opportunity was very good," Volodymyr Viatrovych noted.