Why do French deny Ukrainians right to be different from Russians

I argue that when everything Ukrainian is erased in the occupied territories, from history textbooks and street signs to the Ukrainian language and identity, such actions can be understood. "But she knows that I partly have Russian roots, that's tactless!" She didn’t listen to me.

"Is it tactful to complain to me about a Ukrainian woman, who is just like me?" I ask. A moment of realization in her eyes, and then, after a pause: "I didn't think about it at all. I'm really sorry."

This domestic scene revolves around stereotypes, not the artistic value of Pushkin's legacy. However, one could mention the poem "Poltava," where the champion of Ukrainian freedom, Ivan Mazepa, is portrayed as a "thief" and a traitor.

“Screw him, Pushkin, he died long ago. The real issue here is the reluctance of modern educated French people to acknowledge Ukraine's right to be distinct from Russia. After all, nobody was surprised that Schiller's plays were not performed during World War II.”

Russia is fighting to preserve its empire, while Ukraine is choosing its path to freedom.

This isn't just about a Kremlin rat; it's about the core of Russian statecraft: expansion for the sake of expansion. Ukraine finds itself in a position of self-defense, employing all available means.

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About the author. Alla Lazareva, journalist

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