The history department condemns Russia’s distortions of history to justify illegal invasion

As historians, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are facing an unprovoked and ruthless invasion by the Russian military. This violent and inhumane incursion into an independent nation state must not be allowed to continue. We reject the ways in which Putin’s regime has appropriated and distorted history to justify this illegal invasion. Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian independence and democracy also violate international conventions on the protection of civilians. While we are a group of historians with divergent views, we unanimously support the rule of international law and call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and to respect the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people.  -The History Department.