Tuesday, March 10, 2009

RE: Ukraine and Belarus in WWII.

Marek left the following comment in regard to "Ukraine and Belarus in WWII":

Stumbled across your site while doing a little research.

I'm sure that you know that Davies' major focus in his research is modern Poland. He has also done major research into what happened in the Kresy region of Poland (today located in Belarus and Ukraine). Its not surprise that he calls that region the centre of gravity of the second world war. I know it is for me.

I was also in Belarus this past summer and I can tell you that there are reminders of what happened during the war all over the place. But there are some major differences between Belarus and the Ukraine, and I can't really speak for that country.

The effects of what happened there during the war are still felt around the world. I am actually a descendant of a family deported out of Belarus.


Lawrence responds:

Hi, Marek.

Yes, I know. I was checking for histories on Poland recently and Davies' was the only one I found in English. And yes, he's covered some of the things you've said in his book No Simple Victory -- or perhaps that's what you were referring to.

I'd be interested in your comments about Russia, that is, about Belarus' relationship with Russia, if you have an opinion on that. I've read that of all the former SSRs, Belarus is on the best terms with Russia. Ukraine, I know, is at the other end of the spectrum. I don't know if it has the worst relations. Maybe Georgia has that title.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well, I am no expert on Belarusian and Russian relations, but I can tell you that so much of that relationship balances on Lukashenko. His agenda seems to be a continued Russification of Belarus. It looks like the only people who speak Belarusian are in the villages... and getting older every day.

I think if the opposition party ever had a chance of winning an election then we might be able to see Belarus becoming more of a bridge between East and West.

I visited the western region this past summer, which is the traditional Kresy region of Poland. Most of the ones that I spoke did not approve of Lukashenko and agreed with my understanding of the situation.

Ukraine and Russia have always had a little more of a rocky relationship. I think it is because Ukrainians have a much stronger national identity (which is something Belarus misses). Russia has always done its best to try and be the leader among the Slavic nations.