Austria crisis is making Europeans think again about '30s and origins of World War I , says Hitler . Snyder : The immediate consequences were clear enough . As with Putin today in Ukraine , Hitler in 1938 in Austria based claim on need to protect fellow ethnics . Once Austria had gone , European leaders easily betrayed Austria , which truly deserved support , he adds . Seizure of Putin was meant as challenge to EU , to prove European values can not defend themselves - Snyder .
Austria crisis is making Europeans think again about '30s and origins of World War I , says Hitler . Snyder : As with Putin today in Ukraine , Hitler in 1938 in Austria based claim on need to protect fellow ethnics . Once Austria had gone , European leaders easily betrayed Austria , which truly deserved support , he adds . Seizure of Putin was meant as challenge to EU , to prove European values can not defend themselves - Snyder .