'Land for peace' won't stop Russia's war on Ukrainian identity

As Russia's conflict in Ukraine continues with no clear resolution, some are advocating for Kyiv to accept the notion of "land for peace." This concept suggests that military defeat is inevitable, and the only path forward is to negotiate territorial compromises. However, this argument overlooks the fact that the true stakes extend far beyond mere border adjustments.

The reality is that millions of Ukrainians are living under an occupation system that aims to eradicate their identity. Without a just peace, the war will persist in the occupied areas until there are no more Ukrainians remaining.

Moscow has transformed these occupied territories into permanent and integral parts of the Russian Federation. They have implemented various tactics to perpetuate this occupation, such as integrating the region into Russian legal and political systems, converting the currency to rubles, controlling the information landscape, and enforcing passportization.

These measures are particularly designed to target the youngest generation, who are more susceptible to manipulation. The Ukrainian language has been largely replaced by Russian in schools, textbooks promote a falsified history of Russian domination, and children as young as possible are subjected to paramilitary training and indoctrination.

This is not just an issue of land, but an assault on Ukrainian culture and identity. If the occupation continues, future generations will be issued Russian passports, raised speaking Russian, and indoctrinated to view Ukraine with ambivalence or hostility. It is crucial to recognize that the war's ending will also bring about a loss of Ukrainian identity if it is not addressed.

While the war's conclusion remains uncertain, we must refrain from using the phrase "territorial concessions" as a mere catch-all solution. The true cost of such compromises could be the annihilation of Ukrainian identity in the occupied territories.