Photo: National Democratic Institute
President Biden has called the competition between democracy and autocracy a “defining challenge of our time.”
Many observers have dismissed that framing as mere rhetoric or foolhardy idealism in a dangerous world. Ukraine should serve as Exhibit A about why the president is correct.
To the detriment of Ukrainians and Western policymakers, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been able to frame Ukraine as a matter of Russian pride, geopolitics and security. This framing has been picked up by media pundits, which serves Putin well. He understandably would much prefer it not focus where it belongs: on Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and their rights and dignity.
As president of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a range of Ukrainian politicians, civil society leaders, activists and citizens. No matter their political persuasion — whether they come from the east or west of the country, or what language they speak at home — they are united by a common identity as Ukrainians and an unrelenting resolve to build an independent, sovereign and democratic Ukraine.
The message delivered by Ukrainian politicians echoes NDI’s own survey findings, soon to be released, in which more than 75 percent of Ukrainians want Ukraine to become a “fully functioning democracy.” This number is fairly consistent across six years of biannual public opinion research, and throughout the country.
Moreover, it is consonant with the actions of the Ukrainian public, who have reiterated their commitment to democracy time and time again. Read more.
