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The war in Ukraine has been going on for almost half a year now. Despite the international condemnation of the Russian attack on Ukraine, there are voices trying to compare the conflict to other wars, particularly those led by the United States. However, such comparisons are misleading and do not contribute to the resolution of the conflict.

The Ukraine War is distinctly different from other wars, such as the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, or between Israel and Palestine. Each of these conflicts has its own specific characteristics that make it unique. For this reason alone, it is pointless to compare the Ukraine War with other armed conflicts.

The background of this trivialization is actually quite clear: spreading misinformation and feeling superior—this is something we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, the finger is being pointed at the United States, which are being portrayed as the scapegoat.

However, unlike in other wars, the U.S. currently has no military role in the Ukraine conflict. While they support the Ukrainian government politically and economically, they have not stationed troops on Ukrainian soil and are not at war with Russia. We in Europe support Ukraine as well. Other wars in which the U.S. was involved have no place in the discussion about the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Different conflicts, different reasons, different dynamics. It’s always the same attempts at relativization by conspiracy theorists. No one denies that the U.S. has made many mistakes, but that has no relevance in this discussion.

Closing Words

The Ukraine War cannot be compared with other armed conflicts. Each conflict has its own specific characteristics, causes, and participants. Given that war always brings suffering, destruction, and human misery, it is imperative to condemn wars in any form. However, it is important not to downplay the Ukraine War or point fingers at other countries, as this leads to a distortion of reality and a lack of solution-oriented thinking.