Ukraine and Russian Neo-Imperialism: The Divergent Break

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This book first proves that the rationale behind Russias aggressive actions in its neighborhood resides in its goal of achieving certain geostrategic objectives which are largely predefined by the states imperial traditions, memories, and fears that the Kremlin may irretrievably lose control over lands which were once Russian. In other words, Russia constantly remains an expansion-oriented and centralized state regardless of epochs and political regimes ruling over it. That is its geopolitical modus operandi successfully tested throughout history. This book also scrutinizes Ukraine as a young post-colonial and post-communist state which, unlike Russia, is more prone to democratize and decentralize. To understand the logics of the ongoing Ukrainian transformation, its domestic and international developments are assessed in their connection to the Soviet political tradition and the medieval legacy of the Cossack statehood (1518 centuries). This book outlines differences between the political cultures of Ukrainian and Russian nations. This envisages scrutiny of historical experiences and their impacts on the Ukrainian and Russian state-building, institutional structures, national identity, religious issues, and other features of sovereignty. Based on these discoveries, a structure of symbolic thinking which predefines indigenous understandings of justice and order has been constructed for Ukrainians and Russians.

Reviews

Ukraine and Russian Neo-Imperialism is a timely and thoughtful book about the relationship between Russia and the Ukraine and explains why the two are in conflict today. By juxtaposing Russian and Ukrainian political cultures, Kushnir draws out the similarities and differences between these two countries and how we can understand them. For those who want to know about Russian foreign policy and its relationship to Ukraine, Ukraine and Russian Neo-Imperialism is a book you should consult. * VoegelinView *
Kushnir has produced an important study of the relationship between Russian nationalism and imperialism and Ukraine that will remain important as the RussianUkrainian war shows no sign of imminent resolution. * Europe-Asia Studies *
Ostap Kushnir provides, with this highly synthetic, well-referenced, extremely informative and wide-ranging account, a comprehensive historical, political, philosophical and geographic interpretation of Ukraine's past, current and future challenges, in juxtaposition to the Russian political tradition. His narrative takes an explicitly Ukrainian perspective, and fruitfully mixes various recent empirical findings with insights from historiosophy, geopolitical analysis, ethnography, collective psychology, cultural studies, and comparative politics. In this learned, yet engaging book, Kushnir does not shy away from sweeping generalizations and bold assertions which makes this a powerful statement that will gain wide attention. This monograph should be required reading for diplomats, journalists, analysts and all others who would like acquire a deeper understanding of Ukraine's specific historic fate, international affairs and fundamental tasks today, as well as of how many Ukrainian intellectuals tend to see, explain and contextualize them. -- Andreas Umland, Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation
Ostap Kushnir's timely and well-written book offers new original insights in the dialectic between Russia's old and new imperialism and Ukraine's struggle to emancipate itself from Russian colonial rule to become a modern, independent nation-state. Highly recommended. -- Marcel H. Van Herpen, The Cicero Foundation
Considering the traditional view of Ukrainian political culture, either as a copy or a polar opposite of Russian political culture, Ukraine and Russian Neo- Imperialism offers a fresh, balanced and vibrant conceptualisation. Overall, the book will be an enlightening read for those who are not well-acquainted with Ukrainian political culture, and for specialists who are looking for a new perspective on the complexities of Ukrainian-Russian relations. * New Eastern Europe *

Author Bio

Ostap Kushnir is assistant professor at Lazarski University in Warsaw, Poland.