Ukraine's independence a historical fact, but fight continues, Lithuanian analyst says

Lithuanian analyst Vytautas Bruveris shared insights from Ukraine, emphasizing that the nation's fight for independence is existential and its sovereignty is now an unshakeable historical fact. Speaking on the podcast "Istorijos pabaiga: nuolat pildoma" (The End of History: Constantly Updated), Bruveris discussed the war's trajectory with Gabriel Landsbergis, an expert from Stanford University. Landsbergis asserted that Ukraine's freedom, once taken, can only be forcibly reclaimed, not surrendered by corrupt officials. He drew a parallel to Lithuania's own history, where partisans defended the nation's independence after World War II, making its eventual reclaiming a matter of historical continuity rather than a new acquisition. "Ukrainians have, over the last five years, and indeed since the start of the war in 2014, essentially cemented themselves as a fighting state, as a state from which independence can only be taken away," Landsbergis stated. "It cannot be sold by Yanukovychs, it cannot be sold by oligarchs, corrupt officials, someone cannot just give it away. But it is a state from which freedom can only be ripped away. And that is already a historical fact. Essentially, I think this is the definition of independence, freedom, sovereignty."

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Ukrainians have, over the last five years, and indeed since the start of the war in 2014, essentially cemented themselves as a fighting state, as a state from which independence can only be taken away. It cannot be sold by Yanukovychs, it cannot be sold by oligarchs, corrupt officials, someone cannot just give it away. But it is a state from which freedom can only be ripped away. And that is already a historical fact. Essentially, I think this is the definition of independence, freedom, sovereignty.

While Landsbergis affirmed Ukraine's independence as a historical reality, he cautioned that the struggle is far from over, with the final chapters yet to be written. He acknowledged that, similar to how Lithuania's freedom was temporarily taken, Ukraine's could also be seized, but crucially, "Ukrainians will not give it up now." Bruveris concurred, noting that Ukrainians themselves recognize Ukraine as an established state that Russia cannot conquer. However, the pressing concern remains identifying the point at which Russia can be halted and subsequently begin to crumble. Bruveris also shared observations from his interactions on the ground, particularly with those actively engaged in the war effort. He described the mood among these combatants as not the best, reflecting the harsh realities they face daily. The sentiment among those carrying the burden of the war is one of resilience, but also acknowledges the immense challenges and the ongoing, critical nature of the conflict.

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The fight is not over yet, its final chapters have not yet been written. And just as freedom was taken from Lithuania, they can also take it from Ukraine. The only difference is that Ukrainians will not give it up now.