The Peril of Slowness: American Mistakes during Russia’s War of Aggression in Ukraine

As part of the W. Michael Reisman Distinguished Lecture on International Law and Diplomacy, we are delighted to be joined by Prof. Timothy Snyder, Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and author of On Tyranny. The lecture took place at The University Club of New York.

[@katerynadereguzova6117]

Staying in Ukraine and facing daily rocket attacks while observing what has been happening in the American Congress for half a year has been heartbreaking. Two years since the full-scale invasion began, people have forgotten why we are fighting and where to find the truth. Mr. Snyder is like a ray of light in this insane world. His lecture is more valuable than any financial aid. I hope more people will hear his words. Thank you for standing with us, Professor.

[@thor9563]

Eurasian societies such as Russian, Chinese, SE Asian, have passed from one political cataclysm to the other - and survived. Instability, frugal living with broken infrastructure and a police state - is their NORMAL! Like sheep, Russian populace simply migrates from one quagmire to the next, they would not know what to do with independence, rule of law, democracy, so they will continue to plod through this war with their 140 million people and will not even feel the 'bump' in the road that was Ukraine. I'm sorry! I hope I am wrong for the sake of Ukraine, Europe and the free world.

[@user-nd6jf4uz3n]

Exactly! I completely agree 💯

[@timthetiny7538]

We're fighting because we believe that the US is the only country entitled to invade foreign nations.

[@debc2237]

He surely is a complete contrast to some of the fools in the American Congress. Perhaps he should give this lecture to them.

[@ELL289]

It is heartbreaking. I’m reminded of how Britain begged for aid from us in WWII and how we lagged because of the ugly America First movement. Only now the same people are more repugnant and the need for the brave people of Ukraine is much more urgent. I hate how we’ve limped along, doling out the minimal amount of aid. Please ramp it up!!

[@cruiseclub6275]

Thank you Timothy and all who supports Ukraine🇺🇦🙏❤️‍🩹

[@donmalo2904]

Such a good lecture❤ Timothy Schneider rocks!

[@nightlightabcd]

Now, if we can jet get Putin's Republicans to stop cutting aid to Ukraine to help Trump's/Republican mob boss Putin!

[@LaplacianDalembertian]

"what they did to the Aleppo", yes lets talk about what Americans did to Aleppo with their support for ISIS and Al-Qaeda. I want to hear how American way of "deposing of Assad" worked for Syrian People

[@mark41279]

And how do they support Ukraine you *****!!! You could live a peaceful life and work together with east and west. But you let yourself use as a cheap tool against Russia and now you pay the biggest price for it!

[@chowd.a.d.8309]

@@LaplacianDalembertian "Avdijivka", and check your ears. Syria!, who cares about that place. Not ever russia cares anymore.

[@AlexanderReef]

I wish all American politicians watched this. Big kudos to professor Snyder who explains it all best!

[@ryanreedgibson]

Some politicians are in Putin's back pocket. Many on the Freedom Caucus and American First Caucus. The same people who were on Hitler's side pre-American involvement in WWII.

[@eddyerle3338]

actually Mike Johnson said mainly everything Timothy said. Strange is that more than 50% of republicans voted against the help to Ukraine. It shall be sent to all who voted against the help

[@supersasquatch]

@@eddyerle3338 half of the GOP has basically been co-opted by the kgb, a much larger and more worrying slice than on the democrat side

[@PBodytko]

​@eddyerle3338 it should be sent to those who voted for the Putin's congressmen to help them not do do it again

[@eduardselksnis9135]

@@PBodytko yes, unfortunately corruption is destroying the US and the EU

[@ivoryblack1701]

Thank you Professor Snyder and all Americans who are helping to save our lives, our heritage, our language, our culture 💙💛

[@antonpressing]

RIGHT - LIFE in Russia or in China for ordinary people (90% !) is a big CHEAT !!!

[@brendap9126]

I so wish we had been able to prod our government to do more and sooner. Many an American feels as I do and wants to do more, but other than charitable donations and prayers are at a loss of how to do more. We end up focused on our presidential election knowing that as much as our democracy may be at stake, a return of a pro Putin narcissist to the American Presidency would be a blow that Ukrainian democracy would not likely survive.

[@antonpressing]

@@brendap9126 Greetings - too little, too late ! But the real tragedy is: The Ukraine is at risk to disappear, AND Russians will continue to live as pions.

[@andresha9391]

The biggest threat to contemporary civilization is the lack of honesty and conscientiousness - especially among the people who are supposed to inform and enlighten the masses. It's a pity when often the dishonest ignoramuses with an insufficient brain power are trying to "educate" the public on the subject of our - i.e., of the former USSR nations' - reality and history [especially when it is coupled with a strong intention to divide the union of Russian people (i.e., Russians-Ukrainians-Belorussians-Rusyns) - this is the scammers' old colonial trick "divide and conquer"]. Ukraine, being in the Russian state and in the USSR, became the founder of the USSR and of the UN, increased its territory around seven-fold, population - in around 22 times, and finally became the third power in the world by the main civilization characteristics in 1980-ths! As a Ukrainian, I state that the distorting Ukrainian history and reality media personalities and the instigating ethnic strife criminals should be brought to the future Ukraine Nation's Military Tribunal (in the way as it was done for the Nazis by the Nazi-hunting Wiesenthal Institute) - together with the creators and supporters of the scabies/короста on the body of our nation - current puppet néonazi anti-Ukrainian regime in Ukraine. The Hitler collaborators are the main heroes of this regime, the elite force of its army is "Azov" - which was recognized as a néonazi organization even by the US Congress, the slogans and greetings of this regime are copied from the ones of the Hitler collaborators, the anti-nazi are killed by the "death squads" or imprisoned, the national thinker Oles' Busina is demonstratively killed and his killers are funded by the government! The people who really care about the civilization on the planet Earth and the free-thinking Ukrainians will always remember and hunt (again, to bring to the justice - as Wiesenthal did) the war criminals who have brought and/or supported puppet néonazi regimes in Ukraine and started the Civil war in our country ⚡

[@happygolucky7179]

US and some wester countries that have dragged their feet in helping Ukraine in its highest time of need have NO right to preach about democracy, while Ukraine is fighting for survival of democracy and have to beg for help and pay in blood. Thank you Prof. Snyder for your extraordinary knowledge and perseverance of tirelessly sharing it and this very sobering lecture.

[@halberderdier8073]

All the Western declarations "we won't get involved" before the invasion were a strategic mistake. Deterrence works by keeping all options on the table and making the risk incalculable for the aggressor.

[@tomdebacco6747]

Not with my money!!! I object to all wars! America is encouraging loosing generations of Ukraine men leading to a societal collapse even if the magically win.

[@crhu319]

Countries are not alive and do not suffer, survive, get "hurt" nor die.

[@eightio]

The most corrupt country in Europe, Ukraine canceled the presidential elections, outlawed all opposition parties, denied the majority of its population their basic rights

[@1midnightfish]

@@crhu319 But nations do

[@annetteroennow9694]

Too bad Prof. Snyder isn't on the inside of the White House, Blinken and Kirby needs to listen to this. Thanks for posting..

[@glacieractivity]

As a European, I think your republicans need to see this

[@magpiegirl3783]

@@glacieractivityI agree with you. But … It is clear that the Republicans do not understand European history and why this war is significant. However, I would argue they do not WANT to know. They are content to stay with the Russian propaganda stories because that supports Trump’s position with Putin.

[@catherinerobson5482]

And Jake Sullivan

[@cyberpunkalphamale]

Blinken already knows this. He was overruled by POTUS.

[@rachelkraut46]

​@@cyberpunkalphamale it does seem this way, doesn't it... one gets the vibe from Blinken that he would be conducting this very differently if it were up to him.

[@dre2407]

With friends like US who needs enemies? The fact that Ukrainian were dying in their hundreds and Americans were like “chill. We’re taking a holiday, just refrain yourself from dying for a while we need to relax”. Your actions speak more than your words.

[@dre2407]

Hundreds per day.

[@ryanreedgibson]

You mean the GOP! Our caucus has done nothing but try to keep the taps open.

[@halberderdier8073]

The Republicans mostly....

[@tb8865]

I guess they could spend their time wagging their fingers at Vladimir Putin some more. That would definitely show him!

[@roshant6964]

Please do not say out loud about such things , but yes your quite right this is exactly how the US government thinks about its Ukrainian allies.

[@SpiralLink]

This is the very first explanation that I have heard of what is really at stake in the Russo-Ukraine war. Finally, no airy-fairy appeals to abstractions such as “fighting for democracy” or “standing up for the Post-WWII world order”. He lays it out in very clear, concrete outcomes should the US continue to dither and allow Ukraine to be absorbed into Putin’s empire quest.

[@henriikkak2091]

When you live next to Russia, concepts like freedom, democracy, human rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are very, very real. In the Russian World, you live on your knees and you die on your knees. That could have been my life had I been born 300 kilometers to the east.

[@martavdz4972]

@@henriikkak2091 Yeah, you're totally right. For us, freedom and democracy are something our ancestors genuinely and honestly suffered for. Democracy, for me, is the thing that the members of my church were tortured for by the Communists. But for the Americans, it's increasingly the thing for which their army has intervened in other countries, sometimes unnecessarily. They fear it's just an airy-fairy pretext. So it's better for them to hear Snyder's specific reasons.

[@andyjones1982]

What are these concrete outcomes? I have reached 24th minute at double speed and getting bored of listening to one-sided hysteria with a lack of actual facts. Maybe you could save future readers some time.

[@martavdz4972]

@@andyjones1982 This is an appeal to diplomats who are in the audience. He gives plenty of facts in his other lectures, especially the long ones. It's his job.

[@Qba86]

​@@martavdz4972That's another problem -- the US government has without a doubt abused the "fight for democracy" in recent decades. Now that there actually is a clear-cut case of democracy defending itself against an aggressive dictatorship, we have a "boy who cried wolf" situation. Obviously there is also the issue of most Americans knowing next to nothing about Eastern Europe. In places like Poland we don't need to love the US to recognize that America supporting Ukraine is good and its inaction is borderline criminal.

[@svetsic]

Thank you, Timothy Snyder! This is the most articulate and profound insight in Ukraine's meaning for the US and for the world! I stand with Ukraine. Ashamed for the US, hope, we'll eventually do the right thing. We should keep pressing on our congressmen and senators.

[@jljones6343]

And if we don't stand with Ukraine, WE are in deep, deep trouble.

[@michaelhughes7668]

This should be on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. And cable TV. With Russian, Chinese, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Arabic, French and Spanish subtitles.

[@mariontoffan1943]

I have frequently wondered why radio and TV have never organized short titiles in various languages so we could finally come together.

[@irynako2530]

Immense thanks to you, Mr. Snyder, for the sound arguments, perspective, and for explaining the role of Ukraine and its vital victory to the rest of the world. We are lucky to have you. From Ukrainian heart💙💛

[@robertmiskey5502]

There is no option to not support Ukraine. This is a defining moment in world history. if the west does not step up catastrophic consequences will transpire for the US and the world.

[@montepr803]

😂

[@Duke.Of.Shostka]

It has already happened. US supremacy has ended in humiliation. One-orange-man has been able to take hostage the foreign policy of the entire nation. Trust in NATO and Article 5 - gone. Your precious Constitution - an outdated and ineffective scrap paper. I mean, we Ukrainians managed to elect an ex-convict to the office. Americans will soon do one better and elect a certified traitor...

[@ryanreedgibson]

@@montepr803 It's people like you that make me work so much harder to ensure not one GOP candidate wins in Arizona. Thank you so much for the motivation, troll. As you can see it's working well.

[@montepr803]

@@ryanreedgibson The good news is people are waking up. Not everyone is buying what you're peddling. As you work hard so do we.

[@dinismantas7265]

​@@montepr803working hard at posting with "intelligent" emoticons? Tells a lot about your capabilities. But you are right, people are starting to wake up and not in the direction you want to promote.

[@petermelville5524]

Not two years, 2014, a decade.

[@martavdz4972]

Snyder usually says this in his lectures, I'm not sure why he didn't this time.

[@sfstucco]

His speech is focused on the events & responses of the last two years, so his use of that time reference made sense to me. Timothy Snyder is well aware of the duration of Russia’s illegal occupation, and normally frames his related points in terms of Ukraine militarily defending itself since 2014, but this time he is talking about international and American response since the major attempt launched by Putin to take the whole country.

[@Birko64]

A brilliant, clear and timely exposition by Prof. Snyder of why Ukraine matters for USA, Europe and indeed the whole world.

[@markdeckard7651]

Timothy Snyder, General Ben Hodges - the two greatest Ukrainian defenders in the american intellectual sphere. I never miss a lecture or interview ever.

[@donmalo2904]

Those are the guys who should be advising Biden in the White House. The slicky lawyer Sullivan has been a catastrophic choice.

[@aniakuchta6382]

💯

[@TheNotpc1]

True as blue

[@ToddKnobel]

Yes! Ben Can you imagine a debate between our two esteemed presidential candidates and someone of their caliber.

[@maghdean]

Thank you, Professor Snyder! We're all blessed to have you, especially us here in Ukraine. Stay well.

[@enriquecrespo2650]

Slava Ukraini. The present signed the 60billion aid from congress today. Love from America 🇺🇸 🇺🇦

[@swetstaaled3549]

Thank you professor. I have been baffled from the start of this large scale invasion by Western response and you have very eloquently and forceful made clear where we in the West fail Ukraine in ways far beyond common sense and morals. History will judge us very harsh and rightly so.

[@FineArtsTeacher]

This guy makes 100% pure sense!

[@justinemot2282]

His words made me cry... What has been done to Syria is being done to Ukraine...

[@bobjohnbowles]

I always appreciate hearing Professor Snyder speak. Thank you for posting this.

[@ryanreedgibson]

While I'm neither Ukrainian nor of an age to harbor resentment toward Russia, I find myself, for the very first time, standing in solidarity with Ukraine. This is a noble stance against Putin's unjust aggression and territorial encroachment-a cause deserving of our unequivocal support.

[@martavdz4972]

Totally understand. I'm a Baltic Studies expert from Czechia, so I know a lot about Russia's dark history but also a bit about its culture. Some of the nicest and most fascinating people I've met were Russians and Baltic Russians. The problem is, Russia had and still has some incredible people, but its politics has almost never been good. So I respect good Russians but I'm very tough when it comes to Russian propaganda, army and politics.

[@laolao1466]

@@martavdz4972 75% of Russians are primitive and aggressive. That's why Russia is constantly slaughtering other nations. Even the pseudo-opposition shares imperialist views and wants territorial expansion. Only a small percentage of Russians are not aggressive, but they are not influential, The majority of Russians despise them as 'weak'.

[@MJGMJGMJG]

And I gravitated to this content because I disagree with it. There is always the other side of the story, you know. However, leaving aside the question of which side is right, or wrong, or more justified, a more pertinent question regarding this unequivocal support for Ukraine exist: is it good for Ukraine? The paradox of the matter is, the more western aid is sent, the more Ukrainian people perish in the fight they cannot win, and the more territory they will lose. They cannot win on their own, they cannot win with the western support and NATO does not want to fight (because apparently Russia produces more ammunition and stuff than the west combined, and because it has a quiet support from China, because China knows Russia it's their ally against US). This is quite simple and logical.

[@MJGMJGMJG]

@@martavdz4972 I heard very recently that one of the Baltic countries decided to phase out the Russian language from the schools. These Baltic countries should be more careful.

[@bimmebeau]

@@MJGMJGMJG When you are a country with a population of 1.4 million, like Estonia, with a large non-native fraction of Russians who moved to your country while it was involuntarily a Soviet Socialist Republic, and at your border there are 140 million Russians, you might want to take steps to preserve your language and culture. Wales has a population of just over 3 million people and almost everyone speaks English. (The population of the United Kingdom, of which the country of Wales is a part, is 68 million.) In order to preserve the Welsh language signs are in Welsh first and then in English. Nobody in Wales has to be "more careful."

[@rachelkraut46]

Good that he mentions with irony that congress "going on vacation is normal at this time of year". Could not believe it when I heard that the $61B support bill for Ukraine was being even further delayed, because...oh, right, congressional holiday. Ukrainians are dying every day, and ukrainian cities are being destroyed every day. Every day matters.

[@SigMaQuint]

In 1995 I was in Odesa. I remember the comfort of five countries having promised to guarantee the security of Ukrainian borders. .. I was all for peace, and believing that. On the onset, the Ukrainians I talked to about that were concerned about losing military technology and power. As a late hippie generation, peace march sentiment - informed I believed in those things. It is hard to see those things fall. BUT, one thing is clear to me. Ukraine is not to be sacrificed on the altar of our peace dreams. They clearly want to win, and get rid of russian domination.

[@crhu319]

Total nonsense why are people fleeing the Nazis conscripting them ?

[@elsotto3314]

I wish everyone would listen and let this sink in.

[@wernertognetti5956]

Mr. Snyder once again gets to the heart of the matter. What he says applies to both the US and Europe. Thanks for uploading ❤️🇺🇦🇪🇺🇺🇸🇺🇦❤️.

[@user-rt8yn8gf6f]

Our war has began not two years ago, - 10 years ago. The world didn't notice it. We are fighting, in Ukraine, for 10 years - in 2014 russians started to kill us. But thanks now for helping us. Thanks from Ukraine, Kharkiv city.

[@jimgraham6722]

Not only you, nearly 300 others died in the shoot down of MH17 on 17 Jul 2014, including over thirty of my countrymen, including many children. To that point Australians had little awareness of what was going on in Ukraine. But after that we did. We will never forgive pudin and his henchmen. We were pleased when the gherkin got his cumuppance but won't be satisfied until pudin himself stands trial on the 298 counts of murder carried out on 17 Jul 2014.

[@jasonsmith1155]

Why were you bombing yourselves? Was there some kind of civil war going on?

[@user-rt8yn8gf6f]

@@jasonsmith1155 are you russian bot? We never had civil war. It's russian aggression from the 2014

[@ELL289]

@@jasonsmith1155 I’m hoping your comment was made in complete ignorance. But probably not- Ukraine is a sovereign nation. This is no civil war.

[@jasonsmith1155]

@@ELL289 But there was a civil war, hence bombing themselves?

[@markgravenor1097]

Absolutely brilliant analysis - thank you Prof Synder. Wake up Western world.

[@margareturquhart5641]

Every politician in every democratic country should hear this talk!

[@tatjanalengyel3522]

True.

[@Unknown39485]

A ray of hope from Timothy Snyder

[@donatoferioli7426]

Time has run out we need to help Ukraine yesterday

[@oshumnyi]

Thank you mr Snyder on behalf of whole Ukrainian nation!

[@chuckkv]

John Bolton, the great Conservative Russia hawk, has made this same argument and critique since the start of the war. If you want Ukraine to win, layout what that looks like, start moving energetically towards that. He's also stated that delay and time leads to a Putin victory.

[@ryanphelan6861]

bolton wants to escalate every world wide conflict as long as its good business for defense contractors....mr snyder is academic and inttelectual, Bolton sells himself as military expert or decorated veteran of whih he is neither just a loud voice for violence elsewhere. He doesnt make distinctions about defense like here Bolton is for starting wars and being on the escalating side. He's bought and paid for raytheon, lockeed, northrup grummin etc. sorry not trying to be jerk I just think Bolton is unbearable and without conscience

[@charlesbeaudry3263]

Prof Snyder, we must remember that a majority of Americans were against entry into WWII on 7 December 1941.

[@timthetiny7538]

So expect the same kind of false flag is what you are saying

[@006jjm]

Timothy Snyder. You show us some of the possibilities we have to create a better world. Thank you.

[@user-mn8re8jp7v]

Ukrainians can win this war…But they are exhausted …Especially by not having necessary weapons and air defence when they really needed them…Ukraine had to fight for the last seven months practically ALONE!…😢

[@JimmiAlli]

I love how Professor Snyder sorted out Madge Taylor Greene at the Senate.

[@BurningThirdRome]

Dear Timothy, thank you very much for your tireless efforts for Ukraine. Greetings from Germany. Слава Україні! 🇺🇦🇩🇪

[@kulesa]

Prof. TimothySnyder thank you. 💙💛🐺🇬🇪

[@martavdz4972]

From a Baltic Studies expert in Czechia, huge thanks for sharing this lecture! It's not easy to take complex historical and political issues and turn them into simple but insightful points. Timothy Snyder is brilliant in this. And thanks to the American Congress for buying Europe time to build our own capabilities! Slovakia is crowdfunding ammunition, in an event called "If our government won't, then we'll send the money ourselves". I hope Europe will be more-or-less independent, defence-wise, in 2 years or so.

[@Aussie-Mocha]

Top notch. If one has already done extensive research and exploration of the history and events that have lead to today’s situation in the world, Timothy’s lectures really end up lining up all the dots and facts. I appreciated his gentle comments about Mearscheimer. Personally,although he was in fact the 1st lecturer I listened too that popped up on my YT feed, I now think he is a “useful idiot”.

[@markb8468]

Yea, me too. When this war started, it kinda made sense, but now it's clear; Mearshimer was just wrong.

[@ruthwolfer4154]

LOL

[@christopheryellman533]

It is you, AM who is the useful idiot for those who want the US to fight never-ending wars. Ask yourself how Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan turned out. In that light, isn't it idiotic to believe Ukraine will be different? You are very useful.

[@nerdyali4154]

Mearscheimer is not the intellectually honest and earnest academic he's portrayed as. His theories are motivated by his Cold War era conservative politics. He genuinely thinks of Ukraine as being in Russia's sphere of influence and regards Russians as natural US allies against China. If you watch his lectures you will note that he, quite deliberately, downplays facts which show Ukrainians desire for independence from Russia and Putin's meddling and aggression toward Ukraine pre-Maidan. If he were honest about these things it would reveal quite starkly his callous disregard for the interests of 40 million Ukrainians. In fact in the past he showed an appreciation of the fact that Russia was a threat to Ukraine due to it's own adventurist nature. In a nutshell, Mearscheimer's theories follow his politics, not the facts.

[@markb8468]

@nerdyali4154 Absolutely agree. The worrying part is how many folks buy into it. Also...it's annoying that this line of reasoning got the label "realism" giving an air of undeserved legitimacy.

[@13137713]

I hope this speech doesn't fall on deaf ears.

[@beverleywilson4091]

Yes. I wish someone from the USA administration would listen to it.

[@achenarmyst2156]

I love that Snyder does not shy back from using the word „morality“.

[@bobjohnbowles]

The entire world owes Ukraine. The idea of _loaning_ them what they need is sick.

[@christopheryellman533]

bjb I like the way you freely speak for the entire world. Is it possible that people in Brazil, South Africa, China, India, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, etc. might disagree? Are they allowed to have opinions or did you authorize yourself to speak for them?

[@marisabenson1222]

Well Slovakian citizens just raised money through crowd funding to contribute to Czech missile initiative which their government refused to do. Power to the people ​@@christopheryellman533

[@bobjohnbowles]

@@christopheryellman533 of course it is my own opinion, and you and everyone else is free to disagree with it. But I stand by what I said, because whether they know it or not IMO everyone on the planet owes Ukraine for standing against the tyrants who seek to take over the world. YMMV if you enjoy kissing someone else's ass for the right to live.

[@john2335]

​@@christopheryellman533​@christopheryellman533 Правильно comrade! B-but you forgot to mention the most important opinions on the subject - those of the Korean democratic people's republic subjects, the sub-Saharan Africans, Iranians and of course Mr. Lukashenko of Belarus. Glory to mUlTiPoLaR world (dis)order right? 💪🇷🇺💪

[@dano9008]

No, it very definitely is not. In 2022, the US Congress overwhelmingly authorized a lend-lease bill for Ukraine. Every Senator supported it and all but 10 (out of 435) House members supported it. It created an 18-month window for Ukraine to apply that ended at the end of fiscal 2023, September 2023. Ukraine never applied. If not already forgiven, the repayments would have begun in 2071. If you assume a low inflation rate across those years, then it would roughly have been like getting 4 dollars of gear for every 1 repaid 50 years later. Ukraine's inflation rate is much higher, so, it is a much better deal than that. It is basically aid disguised as a loan to respect the self-sufficiency of the recipient by requiring some burden sharing. In Ukraine's case it would almost certainly just get forgiven at some point. For an American conservative, self-sufficiency is sacred. To undermine one's self-sufficiency is evil, and to honor that capacity is morally required. If Ukraine had taken that aid, their situation would be very different now. They were not abandoned; they made a choice that endangered the flow of aid. Zalensky came to the US to try to bolster support for aid, but he was entirely tone-deaf and actually hurt support. He was angry and very entitled. It just offended people. Members tried to reach out to him about his unwise tone, but he didn't get it. Ukrainian sources followed with the same angry and entitled tone, and support for Ukraine has dropped significantly since then. As an individual, if another individual came to me requesting help for some problem and obviously harboring delusions of entitlement, I would shut that down right away. I would probably say something like, "Don't give me that entitlement shit," and if they could course correct, I would help them. If they seemed daft, I might hold their hand and guide them to correct the course, but there is no way I would help if there was a presumption that I owed them that. No one owes you anything. Via the Budapest Memorandum, the US and UK have obligations they have exceeded and I hope they and other allies continue to act in a supererogative way to enable Ukraine to win. It is the presumption of entitlement that is sick and misled them to a difficult state. Another round of aid will pass; after that, lend-lease will probably be tried again. Hopefully, they will take it next time.

[@tikimandude112]

Beautiful speech 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦

[@user-pz2dv1vk3j]

Great talk. Thank you Timothy Snyder. I am so perplexed, not to mention humiliated on behalf of my country. We should have added platforms of defense and offense in step with Russian aggression! As in, you took out a school, Ukraine gets more than enough Himars. You took out a shopping mall, Ukraine gets more than enough air defense systems. You attacked energy infrastructure, Ukraine gets F16s, and plenty of them. I could go on - tanks, Bradleys...major platforms that would get the job done! I do hope Biden sees this. And, I wonder where the logic is, what possible logic could there be, other than bowing to Russian deterrence, in this administration not having a forward thinking plan that includes Ukraine winning? Ben Hodges nails it. I sure wish we would listen to people who understand that the future must never be that we let the world down at this critical time.

[@Volodymyr_GlaVy]

Professor Snyder is ‘trying to be nice’, as he himself said, he prefers to call this war Putin's war, but in fact it is a war of almost an entire nation against the threat of a different way of life, against life without any monarch, superpower and etc. A war with the threat of disobedience to the Great Russian Nation, which alone must decide the way of life in this post-USSR territory. And the war against the idea of human dignity in the face of The State. These ideas are not abstract for the Russian people, it is the everyday practice of being a small part of this large mechanism of The State and fighting for survival every day. You must have a group of supporters in this fight, something like a clan, and you must be extremely aggressive towards all the weaker ones outside your clan. I have been to Russia several times, the first time in 1979, and have noticed somewhat more aggressive and violent behavior. Then, in the late 1980s in Siberia, in the 2000s in Moscow, I noticed more and more aggressive people there. To date, we have witnessed brutal killings and violence in this war, which were neither condemned nor blamed by Russian citizens, but, on the contrary, were greeted with joy. As one of the Russian intellectuals, Afanasiev, said in the late 1980s, “this is the aggressively obedient majority,” and they are all in.

[@aar0n709]

Racism is a quick way to be banned and lose support for Ukraine.

[@Pyriphlegeton]

Very important talk, thank you. If we fail to support Ukraine now, we'll create such an incredibly dangerous world for ourselves.

[@samsungtap4183]

As a Vietnam i'm telling you this has been used before,the "if we don't fight them here"....total BS

[@Pyriphlegeton]

@@samsungtap4183 As a european I'm telling you that the only reason for the decades of peace we had was the understanding that territorial expansion through war would not be allowed. If we fail to uphold that promise, europe will once again be engulfed in territorial wars as it has been for most of it's history.

[@mitchyoung93]

​@@PyriphlegetonExcept that NATO ruined that supposed deal in 1999

[@Pyriphlegeton]

@@mitchyoung93 what are you on about?

[@harrylippidardo]

@@Pyriphlegeton Facts. Tough for you aren't they.

[@eugenek4493]

100% agree with everything. Such clarity! I'd just like to note that jab at Musk while Biden, who decreased help to Ukraine when it was becoming clear that Ukraine could potentially win, didn't get any direct grilling.

[@peremees1]

We need to show this video to as many Americans as we can! Please-PLEASE SHARE IT on social media everywhere! And push LIKE button + subscirbe to boost youtube algorythms.

[@emiliat.5881]

Thank you for explaining my feelings that the chosen “ dont escalate strategy” is wrong. I hope the USA help comes in time!

[@bron-sconcess.10]

The eyes of the world are off the ball, while the Palestinian/Israeli conflict festers. Prof. Snyder's point is also slow to emerge, but it's so great that he's making it. We need to support Ukraine! He said it well, It's the right thing to do. We don't need to attempt, to be seen to control the outcome. (London, UK).

[@SurfinScientist]

What an excellent lecture! As a European (Dutch) I have strongly felt that Ukraine needs our support more than the western world have given them up to now. Some thoughts that I haven't seen in the media, but that underline Prof. Snyder's arguments: (1) The population and economic might of Germany and Austria in WW2 were much smaller than the rest of Europe, yet they created great havoc in the world. Russia's population is even bigger than that, and it is not hard to imagine the outcome if Ukraine loses. (2) Though Ukraine is not a member of NATO, it fought under NATO command in Afghanistan and Iraq when the US invoked article 5 of NATO after the Sept 11 attacks. They had the back of the US when it counted, so why is the US letting them down now?

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Russia’s economic production is not only tiny, but it has no room for growth. As for its population there is notably a remarkable lack of fighting age men.

[@SurfinScientist]

@@grahamstrouse1165 Russia's economic production is small compared to the combined economic production of the NATO countries and their allies, but important is how much of economic production is used to support the war effort. Russia is currently on a full-scale war economy, but the NATO countries and allies are not (though gradually making moves into that direction) . Personally I did not expect Russia to do this well in the war at this point. They seem to be learning, and we should not underestimate their ability. Regarding man power, it seems Russia still has large reserves of men who are willing (or forced) to die in their meat grinder. We should not underestimate that either.

[@martavdz4972]

@@grahamstrouse1165 1) They hire soldiers from countries like Columbia and Nepal. 2) If you lived in a country not far from Russia, you wouldn't care an old sock how many fighting age males Russia has. It has long-range missiles. And I don't necessarily mean nuclear missiles, just basic missiles, which they can use to kill tens of thousands of Ukrainian and other European civilians.

[@carstenschipperen5827]

All the right arguments summed up in this "sermon" by Prof. Snyder. If democracy is to be taken serious as the best way of governance, than it follows that it must be willing to die the cast and stand up against tiranny.

[@verhovenko]

Дякую великій Людині. Дякую усім людям доброї волі в усьому світі.

[@SiteReader]

This is brilliant. Every concerned citizen in America needs to watch this. Worth more than all the newscasts and commentary I'ver heard on the subject over the past 3 years.

[@Avinath9]

Why so few views. This precious insight is worth at least 2 orders of magnitude more

[@martavdz4972]

Watch it repeatedly, and reply to comments here. That will increase visibility.

[@buriedbits6027]

I bought Timothy’s book and a second translated in Polish for my father in law. This is a very important topic for all of us who support our freedoms and democracies. This is a test that cannot fail.

[@katerynachabaniuk8269]

Pr. Snyder is so right. There are so small amount of people who understand this substance. The only thing Ukrainians have is endless hope and courage and therefore Ukraine will win.

[@eremstemero8823]

They had courage for over three hundred years. Didn't work.They need more than that.

[@txnygotw]

Dr. Snyder's lecture starts at 5:13

[@joshuamanwaring9360]

Excellent! Standing ovation Prof. Snyder! Your concluding comments before the Q&A (around the 40-minute mark) were spot-on!

[@wp9860]

Superb. Timothy Snyder performing a a high level. Great overall, one specific concern. Concentration of wealth is, as Justice Brandeis told us, incompatible with democracy. That is at the root of Trump, MAGA, Margerie Taylor Green, and ultimately, delayed funding to Ukraine. Would like to see Tim to get deeper into the root causes of the problems he identifies.

[@vladimirrtveliashvili7404]

Beautiful. The most impressive speech that I ever heard.

[@jstnaguglu3380]

Great lecture, mr. Snyder. TY!

[@Billy01113]

Prof. Timothy Snyder is clear, comprehensive and to the point, as always.6 Great and thought provoking speech.-

[@JimmiAlli]

So knowledgeable and also so humble. ❤

[@skaznachey]

Thank you Professor Snyder. I just wish that few people in Biden administration will have a chance to see this also…

[@gunnarbrink5515]

This thoughtful and honest talk gives us reason to think of hope when we think of America.

[@JackSmith-qe5le]

At the first of this guy's talk, I didn't think I was going to like him (all the metaphysical time stuff). But as he went on, I discovered that we were on the same wavelength, and, by the end, I became a disciple! He said so many things I wish I could scream out to our government...

[@Cptnbond]

What a fantastic and sharp talk. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnmyers6117]

Thank you Professor Snyder for bringing the important facts to our awareness. We need to support Ukraine and Taiwan because the people in these countries are smart, hard-working, inventive and love and strive to preserve democracy like we do. Failure to support them is a major step in our own defeat.

[@MariaSerebrianska]

Thanks very much!Glory to Ukraine and God Bless America!

[@kathebrown9707]

I am so grateful for Timothy Snyder! He says every word that is in my heart and then some. It needs to be in the heart of all American Congress people! I hope this lecture will be watch widely by those very people. Thank you again, Dr. Snyder.

[@brycecousens8859]

The volume was okay this end and always good to hear Timothy's thoughts on this massively important evolving crisis.

[@mashdown3]

Tim Snyder's observations and conclusions are basic facts. He is the world's top expert(though he only claims N. America) on the Ukraine war topic. Who can dispute those 2 statements? For Canada I have personally observed 40 years of democratic backsliding, though far from as extreme as the States. I figure that is on us, the people. It is a lame cop out to blame known bad guys for doing bad things.

[@martavdz4972]

I disagree with the "top expert", there are heaps of great experts. Deividas Šlekys of Lithuania comes to mind, the Institute for the Study of War, or the "Válka se nikdy nemění" project in Czechia. Precisely because Snyder is an expert, he knows there are other great experts. I wholeheartedly agree that he's brilliant, though, and he's one of the top experts. Most importantly, he can convert extremely complex issues into simple points and communicate them in a clear and engaging way, adding some genuine humble human wisdom into the mix. That's a rare ability.

[@PalleRasmussen]

The entire west is backsliding due to what Thomas Ziehe calls Ontologisation.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

Everyone in the EU and NATO member states need to watch this lecture. Everyone. This should be required viewing in all schools and all households. Thank you, Prof. Snyder !

[@suzannewman979]

Always, and in all ways, Professor Snyder delivers 'on time', what the most important considerations are for a successful Ukraine which also leads to a much better world. Great thanks for having this lecture.

[@taralown7023]

Smartest man in the room, every room. Too bad the White House doesn't have one.

[@JNavas2]

Outstanding!

[@someoneinmyhead]

His insights and expertise are exceptional. Thank you Tymothy Snyder for all the passion and energy to help humanistic values prevail.

[@Dignity_first]

As Ukrainian, Prof. Snyder is one of the strongest friends of my country, giving a cold shower to westerners and bringing some sobriety on the matter. Hope he will be listened and heard properly.

[@user-gf7kc5fc5m]

Thanks, Professor Snyder! Your eloquence and intelligence need to be heard by every world leader and lawmaker. The free world is indeed asleep at the wheel.

[@annetteroennow9694]

Denmark donated 19 F-16 over a year ago (and so did Holland - 11 I believe) and they should be in Ukraine soon, pilots have been trained over 6 months now - as I understand it it is not only flying the planes, it is also a matter of weapon carrying handling. Wondering if it is too late though.

[@petervanderwoude6316]

🇳🇱 donated 24

[@msmaryna961]

Imagine if even 20% of our policy makers spoke and thought with such clarity and integrity. Deep bow to this sterling man.

[@olegvovkodav6272]

Thank God we have Dr. Snyder. Thank you Dr. Snyder for all you've said here, for all your points and highlights!❤

[@tindomiel10]

thank you that you #StandWithUkraine ! #ArmUkraineNow #ATACMSForUkraine #AirDefenseForUkraine to #StopRussianImperialism !

[@zachscully]

Professor Snyder makes quite clear what the USA, Europe, and those who like democracy benefit from Ukraine 🇺🇦fighting for: human rights, secure borders, rule of law, food, freedom, improvement, leadership, reducing waste, democracy.

[@olgamarsh169]

Timothy Snyder is the only historian with his feet firmly on the ground. ❤❤❤

[@appstratum9747]

An excellent summary of where we are and why. Thank you, Timothy. Now that the foreign military aid bill has passed, we need to understand that it is very late, that we need to bring in the next tranche of aid six months earlier (by late summer and prior to the US presidential election). And not just US aid but European aid, too. We must all step it up a notch this year. And that's just to stay standing still. But first.... We absolutely need to define our strategic goals before deciding what aid is necessary and what we need to do. We cannot continue to be rudderless. The primary strategic goal should be - and from a European point of view must be - the outright *DEFEAT* of Russia and the outright *VICTORY* of Ukraine. That is achievable. That is a prerequisite for a just, lasting peace. More importantly, that is the *ONLY* viable route to achieve security for Ukraine and Europe. Period. Every other alternative - "peace negotiations", "getting to a point where Ukraine has a strong position at the negotiating table" and so on - is just deluded, hubris-ridden, wishful thinking and bullshit. And it's time that so many in the foreign policy and international relations community wake up, smell the coffee, admit that they had no idea what they were doing in 2014, understand that they've had clay feet since 2022, understand that "all wars end up at the negotiating table" has always been utter BS. Countries both lose and win wars as well as negotiate their cessation or suspension. In this case there is no negotiated end to this war. That's not possible with today's Russia. The only question is how we are going to defeat Russia and when. Not if. Ukraine has earned the right to claim credit for leading that victory for democracy. But we can still claim credit for - eventually - doing what it took to be the arsenal of democracy and for laying the foundation of that victory over the tyranny of a dangerous, authoritarian, evil, imperial, bloody, war-making regime that threatened us all but is no more. That's standing on the right side of history and doing what needed to be done. It's not dithering and navel-gazing while entertaing self-indulgent thoughts and fears of "ooh, what if tomorrow's Russia is worse than this one?" while today's Russia butchers its way throughout Eurasia (and Africa). Nor is it cowering behind the excuse that we are "trying to avoid escalation - nuclear or otherwise - while the other side escalates and aggressively deters us on a daily basis. Indeed Russia engages in widescale and hostile information warfare on our territory every single day of the week, while openly claiming to be at war with us. Because that is factually accurate. The political crises within the United States and many parts of Europe owe much to Russian involvement. As do crises elsewhere. And all of this is intended to distract and weaken us while looking away from the things that Russia is trying to gain with a very weak hand. The trouble is that we have repeatedly allowed them to get away with it. And worse we have facilitated it through diplomatic wishful thinking and complacency. This must stop. Asking nicely will not work with people who are all too comfortable with murdering any opposition. Nor will pretending that this isn't happening and isn't affecting us. It is. And very seriously. As the chaos in Congress demonstrates all too well.

[@charlesbeaudry3263]

The conclusions are still valid, even with US $60B aid package for Ukraine.

[@ivoferin8176]

This guy is brilliant... amazing capacity to synthetize such complex matters in this uber direct talk is mind blowing.

[@ledermanrobert]

Excellent lecture! Clear sighted. Thank you! Keep up the good work. 💪

[@Present-Tense]

I think that Ukraine teaches us many lessons. 1) the US's much vaunted checks and balances have become über-checked and unbalanced. 2) Democracies and freedoms are hard-won advantages in constant need of protection. 3) Allies matter. 4) Most so-called "rights" are legal protections, not inherent entitlements. 5) In effective justice systems, rule-breakers and violent bullies face penalties, not mollifying appeasement. 6) Nations need more skilled workers and less disappointed employees with overpriced BAs. The list could expand.

[@sfstucco]

Good points, all, except the last one, as I cannot quite understand its inclusion in here. How does an Ukraine teach us point #6 ?

[@Present-Tense]

@@sfstucco Think about Ukrainians' talent for mechanical innovation ---- cheap FPV drones kitted out with PRGs, for example . Think about the delay in booting up the West's military industrial complexes.

[@sfstucco]

@@Present-Tense -- Ahh, gotcha! 👍Agree!

[@geoffreytucker3049]

Was this the lecture that turned Speaker Johnson into a realist?

[@user-mu1gh8lz5t]

As a former Ukrainian residing in the United States, I find it truly bewildering why the USA doesn't offer more assistance to Ukraine and why there's such reluctance to support this emerging democracy in a meaningful manner.

[@zipperpillow]

Great talk, brave man. Happy to spend the time to hear this.

[@bernardteeuwen]

If ukraine would loose the war, the West / the USA would loose its international reputation, as prof. Snyder points out. But there is one thing that we would loose in that case which is even worse and it is not mentioned. It is our self esteem. Image a situation several decades from now when one of your grandchildren comes home from school after a history lesson and asks you: 'WHAT DID YOU DO to prevent ukraine to disappear / Ukrainian genocide / loss of international law and order / European security and unity etc.?' And your answer would be ' nothing / too little'. Wouldn't you feel ashamed?

[@brendacarmichael3180]

I think he covered it briefly at the end when he mentioned the loss of morale. I ask myself your question:" What did you do?" daily. That is why as a senior Canadian on a fixed income I cut back on other expenses to send money to Canadian-Ukrainian charities as well as United 24, President Zelensky's platform to help Ukraine with both humanitarian needs and weapons. The receipt cannot be deducted on my Canadian taxes, but no matter. I helped in the purchase of a fleet of Ukrainian "Sea Baby" drones, although my contribution likely paid for only a few nuts and bolts. I will cheer when the Kerch Bridge collapses. I call my Member of Parliament including the Minister Defence weekly to ask why we are not doing more and demand that we do. I am doing everything in my limited power. If I can do this, anyone can. Every little bit helps.

[@achenarmyst2156]

Same goes for climate change…

[@mastercommander4535]

Lose….not loose

[@geniair]

Two things: 1/ The war started in 2014. This is when many Ukrainians lost their homes and family members first time, when russia invaded our East and Crimea (like myself, and I was very close to losing it all again in Irpin in 2022). 2/ Immensely grateful to Professor Snyder for standing with us. The world doesn't realise the scale of the catastrophe if we lose this war and ruzzian fascism evolves and flourishes. Every day Ukraine pays with hundreds of lives, and another few hundreds lives get damaged irreparably due to losing homes, loved ones, and hope. I don't know how to live in the world/timeline where putin wins.

[@user-ql5kg5ek2h]

As always, a great speech full of insight and useful historical context. Thank you Prof.

[@lancechapman3070]

Dr. Snyder at his best ❤

[@lancechapman3070]

I believe you have changed history with this lecture. Thank you for being you!

[@Probez44]

❤ Thank you for making sense ❤ I just visited Ukraine. It's a great country with great people. They will never give up. Ukraine needs to win this.