Weeping for Jerusalem and for Kyiv

The world grieves for Ukraine. Its capital city, Kyiv, has already endured weeks of attacks, and even the recent Russian pullback doesn't mean there won't be more tragedy in its future. Kyiv is more than its buildings and infrastructure. It represents the idea that Ukrainians are a unique people with a cherished history. Citizens of Kyiv believe their city is worth dying for because it embodies their nation's hopes. Kyiv must stand. For the Russian leadership, Kyiv represents something else. Centuries ago, the city played a leading role in Russia's origin story. Now, it symbolizes what Russia once was, an empire stretching from Alaska to Poland and from Finland to Turkmenistan. Like many other cities, it belongs to the grand Russian epic. Kyiv must fall into their hands.