Experience of Resistance as Grounds for Solidarity: Herta Müller Writing in Support of Ukraine's Fight Against Russian Neoimperial Aggression

Abstract

This paper consideres Herta Müller’s recent interviews, public speeches and writing, highlighting her vocal opposition to Putin’s neoimperial ambitions, totalitarianism, security forces rule, and reactionary ideology. Her fervent support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression is driven by personal experience of how the powers that be and especially security forces of totalitarian states curtail freedoms in societies that they aim to subjugate. Müller supports Ukraine’s resistance to Russia because she recognizes that Putin’s regime opposes and seeks to subvert and destroy liberal democracies not only in Ukraine, but also in Eastern Europe.