Editorial: Japan, West face test as Putin warps WWII history to justify Ukraine invasion

The Mainichi

10-05-2025

It is unacceptable to conveniently reinterpret World War II history and attempt to justify a war of aggression.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union, together with the United States, Britain, France and other allies, defeating Nazi Germany, which sought to conquer the whole of Europe. Among the Allies, the Soviet Union incurred the worst losses, suffering more than 27 million deaths.
Addressing the Victory Day ceremony on May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted, "Truth and justice are on our side. Russia will always remain an 'unbreakable wall' against Nazism." By likening Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's administration to Nazis, Putin demonstrated his determination to continue his war against Ukraine.
The significance of Victory Day has shifted over time. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, socialist ideology, previously used to unite the nation, lost its relevance. Amid this ideological void, the historical victory over Nazi Germany emerged as a critical means to unify citizens and foster nationalism.
Antiwar sentiment fails to gain momentum
During Russia's time as a Group of Eight (G8) member, Victory Day celebrations attracted global leaders. In the 2005 commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of the war's end in Europe, Putin called for collaboration with the West, speaking of "establishing mutual relationships aimed at our common future." Leaders from Western nations and Japan attended the ceremonies that year. In sharp contrast, at this year's ceremony no leaders from nations spearheading support for Ukraine were present.
Even when Russia's relations with the West appeared favorable, Putin displayed distorted historical perspectives.
In his annual address to parliament in 2005, Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century" and emphasized the protection of Russian-speaking communities in neighboring former Soviet republics. This observation reflected his regret over those countries distancing themselves from Russia's sphere of influence. Such rhetoric subsequently gave rise to Russia's annexation of southern Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, culminating in today's ongoing war.
After more than three years of war in Ukraine, Russian military deaths are estimated to exceed 100,000. With defense spending now accounting for about 30% of Russia's total expenditure, the conflict is imposing severe economic pressures.
Under such grim circumstances, rising antiwar sentiment among Russians would seem likely. However, independent Russian pollster Levada Center reports Putin's invasion consistently commands above 70% support.
A significant reason is Russia's relatively stable economy. Boosted by arms production, Russia's wartime economy grew by 4.1% in 2024. With working-age people increasingly serving in the military, resulting in labor shortages, wages for workers have increased as well.
Moreover, while the Putin administration has shut down critical media outlets one after another, government propaganda -- primarily relayed through state-controlled TV -- shapes public opinion to the Kremlin's advantage.
Deep-seated mistrust toward the West persists among the Russian populace. Following the collapse of the USSR, Russia's global standing diminished sharply, and its economy deteriorated. Many Russians view the humiliation experienced in that period as stemming from "a Western conspiracy" intended to weaken their country. Regarding the Ukraine war, some believe the United States is again trying to stifle Russia, this time using Kyiv.
Western unity put to the test
Putin's invasion of Ukraine openly tramples the international order founded upon the rule of law. The global community must compel Russia into accepting a ceasefire and chart a clear path toward long-term peace.
Nonetheless, U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office this past January, makes no effort to disguise his pro-Russian stance. Trump has even put forward a peace proposal that includes lifting sanctions against Russia.
Western countries have so far targeted Russian crude oil exports by imposing a price cap. While countries such as China and India continue to buy significant amounts of Russian crude, decreased prices have put Russia's oil export revenue on a downward trend.
Regarding the effectiveness of current sanctions, a Japanese energy industry insider explained, "While these sanctions haven't entirely weakened Russia's ability to maintain the war, they have succeeded in significantly damaging the Russian economy." To halt Russian aggression, Western nations must keep those sanctions in place.
European Union member states have suffered from soaring resource prices, prompting talk of possibly waning enthusiasm for continued support for Ukraine. Despite the burden, the EU has announced a road map to phase out Russian natural gas imports entirely by the end of 2027, reflecting their commitment to break its energy dependence on Moscow.
Japan must align itself closely with Europe while conducting diplomacy on its own initiative. Even if the United States moves toward lifting sanctions against Russia, Japan should not blindly follow suit.
We must not allow a world dominated by major powers strong-arming smaller nations into submission -- a world driven solely by "survival of the fittest." Western unity faces a critical test in this moment.