Clashes Between Russia and Ukraine: Ideologies and Politics
Clashes Between Russia and Ukraine: Ideologies and Politics

The Ideology of Putin’s Russia and its Historical Roots

Summary/Abstract: This chapter provides insight into the ways in which Russia and Ukraine position themselves in the international arena and how identity influences the way in which each country sees the other. The chapter begins with an overview of the state ideology of Putin’s Russia and its historical roots. Prevailing attitudes in Ukraine are then scrutinised against this historical background. Attention is primarily focussed on providing a military-historical retrospective into events that have contributed to the identity of the Ukrainian armed forces. Next, a comparison of the Russian and Ukrainian security narratives is also provided, including the question of whether or not Ukraine is still within Russia’s sphere of interest and how this issue is perceived by Russia and contested by Ukraine.

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