Ben Skliar-Ward
@benskliarward.bsky.social
Author. Exploring how Ukraine endured a century of empire, famine, and exile.
The Quiet That Remains - out now.
The Quiet That Remains - out now.
Pinned
What remains of a nation when its history is silenced?
The Quiet That Remains traces Ukraine’s turbulent twentieth century through the lives of one ordinary family - from empire and famine to exile and renewal.
skliar-ward.com
#TheQuietThatRemains #HistBookChat #UkraineHistory #NarrativeNonfiction
The Quiet That Remains traces Ukraine’s turbulent twentieth century through the lives of one ordinary family - from empire and famine to exile and renewal.
skliar-ward.com
#TheQuietThatRemains #HistBookChat #UkraineHistory #NarrativeNonfiction
When international law blocks acquisition and personal agenda, pressure replaces persuasion. Tariffs, threats, "deals"...
A fair outcome? Let's hope Europe stands by principles, and the post-war norms, that were hard learned not so long ago...
#Greenland #ukraine
A fair outcome? Let's hope Europe stands by principles, and the post-war norms, that were hard learned not so long ago...
#Greenland #ukraine
January 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
When international law blocks acquisition and personal agenda, pressure replaces persuasion. Tariffs, threats, "deals"...
A fair outcome? Let's hope Europe stands by principles, and the post-war norms, that were hard learned not so long ago...
#Greenland #ukraine
A fair outcome? Let's hope Europe stands by principles, and the post-war norms, that were hard learned not so long ago...
#Greenland #ukraine
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
We are a country whose Constitution, according to the Supreme Court, gives our own presidents immunity for crimes committed while in office, but we will prosecute presidents of other countries for alleged crimes and invade them to execute arrest warrants.
January 5, 2026 at 1:07 AM
We are a country whose Constitution, according to the Supreme Court, gives our own presidents immunity for crimes committed while in office, but we will prosecute presidents of other countries for alleged crimes and invade them to execute arrest warrants.
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
👺 Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned what it called US armed aggression against Venezuela on 3 January and said it is deeply concerned.
www.pravda.com.ua
January 3, 2026 at 11:24 AM
👺 Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
Interesting events overnight. Presumably the US has plans for a transition?
Begs the question...why is Venezuela handled so differently to Russia?!
#Venezuela #ukraine
Begs the question...why is Venezuela handled so differently to Russia?!
#Venezuela #ukraine
January 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Interesting events overnight. Presumably the US has plans for a transition?
Begs the question...why is Venezuela handled so differently to Russia?!
#Venezuela #ukraine
Begs the question...why is Venezuela handled so differently to Russia?!
#Venezuela #ukraine
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
Preparing for New Year’s in Kyiv be like: when your friend invites you to New Year’s party to her favorite place, and after saying how good the prices and cocktails are , her final argument: it’s in the basement, so it’ll be a good shelter during expected Russian attack.
December 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Preparing for New Year’s in Kyiv be like: when your friend invites you to New Year’s party to her favorite place, and after saying how good the prices and cocktails are , her final argument: it’s in the basement, so it’ll be a good shelter during expected Russian attack.
Speak to Putin first, then meet Zelenskyy.
Brief the aggressor first, then the country being bombed.
Hard to see whose interests are being centred here...
#ukraine #peacetalks #russia
Brief the aggressor first, then the country being bombed.
Hard to see whose interests are being centred here...
#ukraine #peacetalks #russia
December 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Speak to Putin first, then meet Zelenskyy.
Brief the aggressor first, then the country being bombed.
Hard to see whose interests are being centred here...
#ukraine #peacetalks #russia
Brief the aggressor first, then the country being bombed.
Hard to see whose interests are being centred here...
#ukraine #peacetalks #russia
When Russia says it wants peace, this is the accompanying language:
drones, missiles, freezing cities.
Words cost nothing. Violence is the message.
#ukraine #kyiv #PeaceTalks
drones, missiles, freezing cities.
Words cost nothing. Violence is the message.
#ukraine #kyiv #PeaceTalks
Zelenskyy to hold talks with European leaders amid fresh strikes on Kyiv
Attacks leave hundreds of thousands in city without heating as Ukrainian leader prepares for flurry of weekend diplomacy
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
When Russia says it wants peace, this is the accompanying language:
drones, missiles, freezing cities.
Words cost nothing. Violence is the message.
#ukraine #kyiv #PeaceTalks
drones, missiles, freezing cities.
Words cost nothing. Violence is the message.
#ukraine #kyiv #PeaceTalks
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
🇺🇸🇺🇦 US Senators Call Putin a Ruthless Killer Over Christmas Day Attacks
"Putin's decision today to launch attacks rather than cease fire is a sobering reminder to all of us: Putin is a ruthless killer who has no interest in peace and cannot be trusted," the Senate members said.
"Putin's decision today to launch attacks rather than cease fire is a sobering reminder to all of us: Putin is a ruthless killer who has no interest in peace and cannot be trusted," the Senate members said.
December 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
🇺🇸🇺🇦 US Senators Call Putin a Ruthless Killer Over Christmas Day Attacks
"Putin's decision today to launch attacks rather than cease fire is a sobering reminder to all of us: Putin is a ruthless killer who has no interest in peace and cannot be trusted," the Senate members said.
"Putin's decision today to launch attacks rather than cease fire is a sobering reminder to all of us: Putin is a ruthless killer who has no interest in peace and cannot be trusted," the Senate members said.
A small story, from an even smaller receipt. An large expansion on my last post!
A 1954 Ukrainian document. A disciplinary fine.
A name I can’t explain.
On archives, exile, and what survives quietly.
#ukraine #ukrainianhistory #OUN #TheQuietThatRemains
A 1954 Ukrainian document. A disciplinary fine.
A name I can’t explain.
On archives, exile, and what survives quietly.
#ukraine #ukrainianhistory #OUN #TheQuietThatRemains
A Small Story from a Small Receipt
The name is what stops me.
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
A small story, from an even smaller receipt. An large expansion on my last post!
A 1954 Ukrainian document. A disciplinary fine.
A name I can’t explain.
On archives, exile, and what survives quietly.
#ukraine #ukrainianhistory #OUN #TheQuietThatRemains
A 1954 Ukrainian document. A disciplinary fine.
A name I can’t explain.
On archives, exile, and what survives quietly.
#ukraine #ukrainianhistory #OUN #TheQuietThatRemains
£1 10s.
12 February 1954.
A Ukrainian receipt issued in exile in the UK by the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) - who were pursuing Ukrainian independence.
The document is validated with a commemorative stamp bearing the portrait of their founder, Yevhen Konovalets.
12 February 1954.
A Ukrainian receipt issued in exile in the UK by the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) - who were pursuing Ukrainian independence.
The document is validated with a commemorative stamp bearing the portrait of their founder, Yevhen Konovalets.
December 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
£1 10s.
12 February 1954.
A Ukrainian receipt issued in exile in the UK by the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) - who were pursuing Ukrainian independence.
The document is validated with a commemorative stamp bearing the portrait of their founder, Yevhen Konovalets.
12 February 1954.
A Ukrainian receipt issued in exile in the UK by the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) - who were pursuing Ukrainian independence.
The document is validated with a commemorative stamp bearing the portrait of their founder, Yevhen Konovalets.
November 1940.
A Soviet military billet carried from Ukraine through war, flight, displacement camps, and on to the UK. Small documents like this show how history is lived; and what people choose to carry when everything else is uncertain.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#ukraine #displacement
A Soviet military billet carried from Ukraine through war, flight, displacement camps, and on to the UK. Small documents like this show how history is lived; and what people choose to carry when everything else is uncertain.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#ukraine #displacement
December 18, 2025 at 12:41 PM
November 1940.
A Soviet military billet carried from Ukraine through war, flight, displacement camps, and on to the UK. Small documents like this show how history is lived; and what people choose to carry when everything else is uncertain.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#ukraine #displacement
A Soviet military billet carried from Ukraine through war, flight, displacement camps, and on to the UK. Small documents like this show how history is lived; and what people choose to carry when everything else is uncertain.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#ukraine #displacement
More US Russia sanctions reportedly being drafted, to be used if Putin rejects the next proposed peace deal...
Briefings suggest “as early as this week”...
My prediction: imposed a few weeks from now; subject to conditions, caveats, and ultimately not imposed.
#sanctions #ukraine
Briefings suggest “as early as this week”...
My prediction: imposed a few weeks from now; subject to conditions, caveats, and ultimately not imposed.
#sanctions #ukraine
US readies new Russia sanctions if Putin rejects peace deal, Bloomberg News reports
The United States is preparing a further round of sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector to increase pressure on Moscow should it reject a peace deal with Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Wedne...
www.reuters.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
More US Russia sanctions reportedly being drafted, to be used if Putin rejects the next proposed peace deal...
Briefings suggest “as early as this week”...
My prediction: imposed a few weeks from now; subject to conditions, caveats, and ultimately not imposed.
#sanctions #ukraine
Briefings suggest “as early as this week”...
My prediction: imposed a few weeks from now; subject to conditions, caveats, and ultimately not imposed.
#sanctions #ukraine
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
An air raid alert is on in Kyiv, and I’m showing you the Didukh.
A traditional Ukrainian Christmas symbol made of grain sheaves, it is brought into the home on Christmas Eve and represents ancestors, family continuity, and gratitude for the harvest.
A traditional Ukrainian Christmas symbol made of grain sheaves, it is brought into the home on Christmas Eve and represents ancestors, family continuity, and gratitude for the harvest.
December 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
An air raid alert is on in Kyiv, and I’m showing you the Didukh.
A traditional Ukrainian Christmas symbol made of grain sheaves, it is brought into the home on Christmas Eve and represents ancestors, family continuity, and gratitude for the harvest.
A traditional Ukrainian Christmas symbol made of grain sheaves, it is brought into the home on Christmas Eve and represents ancestors, family continuity, and gratitude for the harvest.
The question that began the book.
Ukraine’s history often survives in fragments: a passport, a medical card, a recipe. Small stories show how ordinary lives are shaped by empire, war, and exile, and why evidence still matters now.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#Ukraine #Author #TheQuietThatRemains
Ukraine’s history often survives in fragments: a passport, a medical card, a recipe. Small stories show how ordinary lives are shaped by empire, war, and exile, and why evidence still matters now.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#Ukraine #Author #TheQuietThatRemains
December 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The question that began the book.
Ukraine’s history often survives in fragments: a passport, a medical card, a recipe. Small stories show how ordinary lives are shaped by empire, war, and exile, and why evidence still matters now.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#Ukraine #Author #TheQuietThatRemains
Ukraine’s history often survives in fragments: a passport, a medical card, a recipe. Small stories show how ordinary lives are shaped by empire, war, and exile, and why evidence still matters now.
substack.com/@benskliarwa...
#Ukraine #Author #TheQuietThatRemains
The paperback of The Quiet That Remains is now live.
A Ukrainian history told through fragments: documents, letters, silences... tracing one family across the turbulent twentieth century.
#NarrativeNonfiction #UkraineHistory #author
A Ukrainian history told through fragments: documents, letters, silences... tracing one family across the turbulent twentieth century.
#NarrativeNonfiction #UkraineHistory #author
December 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM
The paperback of The Quiet That Remains is now live.
A Ukrainian history told through fragments: documents, letters, silences... tracing one family across the turbulent twentieth century.
#NarrativeNonfiction #UkraineHistory #author
A Ukrainian history told through fragments: documents, letters, silences... tracing one family across the turbulent twentieth century.
#NarrativeNonfiction #UkraineHistory #author
Interesting development. Sanctions relief linked to the release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus. That’s a real, positive, human outcome.
And no; this doesn’t mean banks will suddenly rush to facilitate Belarusian trade. Pressure largely remains. Incentives can still work.
#Belarus #Sanctions
And no; this doesn’t mean banks will suddenly rush to facilitate Belarusian trade. Pressure largely remains. Incentives can still work.
#Belarus #Sanctions
Belarus releases 123 prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions
Nobel prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava among those freed after US talks with Alexander Lukashenko
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Interesting development. Sanctions relief linked to the release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus. That’s a real, positive, human outcome.
And no; this doesn’t mean banks will suddenly rush to facilitate Belarusian trade. Pressure largely remains. Incentives can still work.
#Belarus #Sanctions
And no; this doesn’t mean banks will suddenly rush to facilitate Belarusian trade. Pressure largely remains. Incentives can still work.
#Belarus #Sanctions
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Putin said Russia had taken Kupiansk weeks ago.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
December 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has rejected the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine under the pretext of holding a referendum, calling it “another deception” and “mind fog.” He stated that what is needed is a full peace, not temporary pauses.
Get. Out. Of. Ukraine = immediate peace.
Get. Out. Of. Ukraine = immediate peace.
December 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has rejected the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine under the pretext of holding a referendum, calling it “another deception” and “mind fog.” He stated that what is needed is a full peace, not temporary pauses.
Get. Out. Of. Ukraine = immediate peace.
Get. Out. Of. Ukraine = immediate peace.
A Venezuelan "large tanker, very large, the largest one ever " seized at sea yesterday. Robust sanctions enforcement...?
If only the same enthusiasm applied to Russian financial sanctions - and oil, which still reaches global markets with relative ease...
#sanctions #venezuela #ukraine
If only the same enthusiasm applied to Russian financial sanctions - and oil, which still reaches global markets with relative ease...
#sanctions #venezuela #ukraine
December 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A Venezuelan "large tanker, very large, the largest one ever " seized at sea yesterday. Robust sanctions enforcement...?
If only the same enthusiasm applied to Russian financial sanctions - and oil, which still reaches global markets with relative ease...
#sanctions #venezuela #ukraine
If only the same enthusiasm applied to Russian financial sanctions - and oil, which still reaches global markets with relative ease...
#sanctions #venezuela #ukraine
What do “fragments” really mean in historical research?
They're the survivors; not the full story.
A date on a medical card, a place that contradicts the oral history, a line written before a life veers off course.
These scraps show where to look and where the silences begin.
#author #nonfiction
They're the survivors; not the full story.
A date on a medical card, a place that contradicts the oral history, a line written before a life veers off course.
These scraps show where to look and where the silences begin.
#author #nonfiction
December 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
What do “fragments” really mean in historical research?
They're the survivors; not the full story.
A date on a medical card, a place that contradicts the oral history, a line written before a life veers off course.
These scraps show where to look and where the silences begin.
#author #nonfiction
They're the survivors; not the full story.
A date on a medical card, a place that contradicts the oral history, a line written before a life veers off course.
These scraps show where to look and where the silences begin.
#author #nonfiction
Interesting analysis. Though I'm still not clear what this practically means for Europe, nor NATO.
A change in rhetoric from leaders in response; or a change in behaviours and actions? Or nothing.
A change in rhetoric from leaders in response; or a change in behaviours and actions? Or nothing.
New Trump doctrine identifies ‘weak’ Europe’s problem: not enough racism
A new US national security strategy represents one of the most profound crises for the Atlantic alliance since 1945
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Interesting analysis. Though I'm still not clear what this practically means for Europe, nor NATO.
A change in rhetoric from leaders in response; or a change in behaviours and actions? Or nothing.
A change in rhetoric from leaders in response; or a change in behaviours and actions? Or nothing.
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
🔵🟡 Ukraine won’t cede territories any to Russia:
«We have no right under the law, under 🇺🇦law, under our Constitution, under international law. We also have no moral right», Volodymyr Zelensky said today: « we definitely do not want to give anything away. That is what we are fighting for ». #ukraine
«We have no right under the law, under 🇺🇦law, under our Constitution, under international law. We also have no moral right», Volodymyr Zelensky said today: « we definitely do not want to give anything away. That is what we are fighting for ». #ukraine
December 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
🔵🟡 Ukraine won’t cede territories any to Russia:
«We have no right under the law, under 🇺🇦law, under our Constitution, under international law. We also have no moral right», Volodymyr Zelensky said today: « we definitely do not want to give anything away. That is what we are fighting for ». #ukraine
«We have no right under the law, under 🇺🇦law, under our Constitution, under international law. We also have no moral right», Volodymyr Zelensky said today: « we definitely do not want to give anything away. That is what we are fighting for ». #ukraine
“Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal... His people love it...” claims Trump.
Once again; a deal Ukraine must accept, while Russia faces no pressure to change its position. That imbalance is why these proposals cannot produce real peace. The critical question now; how do the UK and EU respond?
Once again; a deal Ukraine must accept, while Russia faces no pressure to change its position. That imbalance is why these proposals cannot produce real peace. The critical question now; how do the UK and EU respond?
Trump says Zelenskyy ‘isn’t ready’ to accept US peace deal ahead of UK meeting with European leaders
Ukraine’s president set to meet the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in London on Monday
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:42 AM
“Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal... His people love it...” claims Trump.
Once again; a deal Ukraine must accept, while Russia faces no pressure to change its position. That imbalance is why these proposals cannot produce real peace. The critical question now; how do the UK and EU respond?
Once again; a deal Ukraine must accept, while Russia faces no pressure to change its position. That imbalance is why these proposals cannot produce real peace. The critical question now; how do the UK and EU respond?
A torn portrait of Yevhen Konovalets, kept inside an old OUN handbook.
Whatever one thinks of his politics, the fragment speaks to how memory survived in 20th century Ukraine: quietly, and often in pieces small enough to hide.
#UkrainianHistory #CulturalMemory
Whatever one thinks of his politics, the fragment speaks to how memory survived in 20th century Ukraine: quietly, and often in pieces small enough to hide.
#UkrainianHistory #CulturalMemory
December 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A torn portrait of Yevhen Konovalets, kept inside an old OUN handbook.
Whatever one thinks of his politics, the fragment speaks to how memory survived in 20th century Ukraine: quietly, and often in pieces small enough to hide.
#UkrainianHistory #CulturalMemory
Whatever one thinks of his politics, the fragment speaks to how memory survived in 20th century Ukraine: quietly, and often in pieces small enough to hide.
#UkrainianHistory #CulturalMemory
Reposted by Ben Skliar-Ward
Kateryna Bilokur 🩵💛
Ukrainian artist
Ukrainian artist
December 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Kateryna Bilokur 🩵💛
Ukrainian artist
Ukrainian artist