Symbolism of Ukraine makes peace elusive
Historical references are playing an increasingly emotive part in today’s conflict
If former US president Franklin D Roosevelt were alive today, he might have valuable ideas about how to solve the war in Ukraine. He might also be distraught. In one of the most famous anti-war speeches of all time, delivered by him in 1936, he told an American audience: “I have seen war ... I have seen 200 limping, exhausted men come out of line – the survivors of a regiment of 1,000 that went forward 48 hours before. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war.” Knowing the horrors of the First World War, he spent much of his presidency between 1933 and 1945 using diplomacy to try and prevent another. But the conditions in Europe in the run-up to the Second World War meant that even his engagement was not enough. And when conflict did erupt, Roosevelt eventually did not shy away from the fight, deploying millions of US troops. He also sent billions of dollars in military aid to US allies as part of the “lend-lease” system. It was pivotal to the Allies’ victory and restoring peace in Europe. Eighty years later, in a sign of just how damaging the war in Ukraine is becoming, that same term, which many assumed to be consigned to history, has made a comeback. On Monday, US President Joe Biden signed an updated version, known as the Ukraine Democracy Defence Lend-Lease Act. It comes as the US is on the verge of sending $33 billion to Ukraine – possibly more – to help it fight Russia’s invasion that began in February.
On its own, Monday’s legislation is largely symbolic. But symbolism matters in war, particularly this one. Also on Monday, Russia held Victory Day, which celebrates the Soviet Union’s crucial role in defeating the Nazis. President Vladimir Putin used the event’s keynote address to thank Russian forces currently fighting against what he claimed are “neo-Nazis” in Ukraine. In a video released the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in turn accused Russia of adopting “Nazi philosophy”. At the beginning of the month, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Ukraine’s efforts are its “finest hour”, a reference to a speech made by Winston Churchill, the UK’s emblematic wartime prime minister.
The fact that 15 presidents later, lendlease is being revived is a sign of longterm diplomatic failure and complacency about the importance of peace in Europe. It might have been a good policy in a very bad time, but its recipients were still devastated after the war ended. Britain never recovered from the debt it had to pay the US. The last repayment was made in 2006. Russia lost 27 million of its citizens. And for all of Europe, an age of peace did not follow the defeat of the Nazis.
The past few weeks might have seen plenty of historical references from capitals across the world, but there have been far fewer indications of a diplomatic plan to end fighting, or even an idea of what victory or compromise for both sides would look like. For now, Europe and the world can only be increasingly reminded of Roosevelt’s belief that peace is never guaranteed and needs constantly to be preserved.