What the Law on National Memory and “Rashism” Means: How Ukraine Is Shaping a New Legal Standard

Ukraine has taken a step that could reshape not only its own historical policy but also the international agenda. In August, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law "On the Fundamentals of the State Policy of National Memory of the Ukrainian People." The document secures Ukraine's right to define how it preserves memory of the past and introduces a term that has become symbolic of our struggle — “racism.”

This word, born in the realities of war, has now received a legal definition: a totalitarian ideology combining Russian chauvinism, imperialism, and the practices of communist and Nazi regimes. For the first time at the state level, Ukraine has named the aggressor's core idea for what it is — a threat to the entire world.

Why It Matters

For Ukrainians, this law is not only about the past. It's about the present and the future. It enshrines the principles of protecting cultural heritage, memorializing places of memory, and countering anti-Ukrainian propaganda. In other words, the issue of memory is now a matter of national security.

Recognizing racism as a totalitarian ideology opens the door to broader international discussions. Just as Nazism was condemned after World War II, and communism in Eastern Europe, today Ukraine is laying the foundation for a global fight against a new threat.

The International Dimension

Lawyers and historians see this law as a foundation for future international decisions. In theory, the definition of "racism" could become the basis for:

• European Parliament or UN resolutions condemning this ideology;

• a global ban on its propaganda, just as Nazi symbols are banned;

• international court cases, where racism is recognized as the ideology that led to war crimes and genocide.

But the road is not easy. Many countries are not yet ready to enshrine the term in their legal systems. Some governments avoid direct confrontation with Russia, while others may wait until the war is over to formally codify the aggressor's ideology.

Barriers and Challenges

1. International legal practice — racism does not yet have a universally accepted definition in international law.

2. Political pressure — states dependent on Russian resources or partnerships may block such initiatives.

3. The need for evidence — global institutions will require clear proof linking racist ideology to specific crimes.

Despite these obstacles, Ukraine has already set an important precedent.

Impact on Culture and Tourism

The law also has a practical dimension. It gives the state tools to:

• create new memorial complexes and museums;

• protect sites of memory from destruction or distortion;

• develop war tourism, where foreigners can not only witness the consequences of war but also understand its ideological roots.

For example, tours in Kyiv or Kharkiv can now officially explain current events not only as local tragedies but as manifestations of a global threat — racism. This gives tourism a new meaning: it becomes part of the worldwide struggle for memory and truth.

Ukraine as a Leader of a New Legal Standard

The law on national memory is more than an internal document. It is an attempt to shape a new legal standard in which a nation has the right not only to preserve its history but also to warn the world about the dangers of modern totalitarianism.

If the world comes to recognize racism the same way it condemned Nazism and communism, Ukraine will be the first country to have opened the world's eyes to this threat. And memory — cultural, historical, and human — will become the key to victory not only in this war but in the broader fight for the future.