Myers spoke about the cultural interconnectedness of Ukraine and Russia, although she was quick to note that this very bond undermines Putin’s attempt to use it as an excuse for aggression. She noted that every Russian schoolchild studies The Tale of Bygone Years (often known in English as The Primary Chronicle) and that this 12th century historical account is used to portray Kyiv as the cultural and spiritual home of Russians. In fact, its opening words speak of “the origin of the land of Rus, the first princes of Kyiv and how the Russian land came to be.” Since the war began, she pointed out, there has been a state-controlled media blackout on the Russian bombing of Kyiv.

Like Kaufman, Shearer found Putin’s Feb. 21 speech remarkable. “Putin positioned himself as a defender of the Russian population in Ukraine who are supposedly suppressed. And there is a kernel of truth in that assertion,” acknowledged Shearer. “Putin had played a weak hand rather deftly up until his speech last Monday night,” he said.

In that speech, Putin claimed that the very existence of Ukraine was artificial and only a result of the collapse of the U.S.S.R. But Shearer pointed out that it was the Ukrainian War of Independence from 1917 to 1921 that resulted in the establishment and development of a Ukrainian republic, not the 1991 dissolution of the U.S.S.R.

Zavadivker, who joined the event via a video feed, presented a personal perspective on the war in Ukraine, noting that she was the first in her family born in the U.S. and that she still has many family members in Ukraine, some of whom she has been speaking to on a daily basis since the invasion. She finds it incomprehensible that Putin claims he is attempting to “denazify” Ukraine. She said that Putin’s attempt to portray Ukraine’s government as fascist has been denounced widely, including from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish and had family members die in the Holocaust.

The panel discussion featured time for Q&A, including a question from junior European Studies major James Cottle-Vinson, who asked if Putin could do this in another country. Kaufman responded that Estonia or Latvia could be Putin’s next targets but noted that the Russian leader will be “bogged down” for the foreseeable future. “There is a significant difference between Putin’s aspirations and capabilities, he said.

Political science doctoral student Claus Soong asked a similar question, wondering if China will now be emboldened to take aggressive actions against Taiwan. Soong is Taiwanese and began his studies at UD this past August.  While noting that there are important differences between the two situations, Kaufman said he believes China is watching the war in the Ukraine very carefully.     

Several more events are planned, including a March 8 panel discussion, “World Disrupted: Ukraine and Global Order,” featuring faculty members from the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Check the Events site for more details on this and other upcoming programs.