Serhii Plokhy: The Russo-Ukrainian War and Soviet Collapse
Historical Context and Soviet Collapse
Serhii Plokhy, a preeminent historian, provides a profound analysis of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent Russo-Ukrainian War. He asserts that the collapse was essentially the dissolution of the last remaining European empire, a process distinct from the fall of communist ideology or the end of the Cold War. Key points include:
• The collapse of the Soviet Union cannot be attributed solely to U.S. pressure, as American leadership initially sought its preservation to avoid volatility.
• Ukraine's referendum for independence in 1991 acted as the fatal blow to the Soviet project, rendering the Russian political leadership uninterested in continuing a union where they would be structurally undermined.
• The ongoing war is interpreted as a continuation of the disintegration of the Russian Empire, fueled by modern Russian nationalism and the quest to reclaim superpower status.
Nation Building and Historical Myths
Plokhy explores the complex historical myths that define the current conflict, particularly concerning the identity of Slavic nations.
• The debate over the heritage of Kyiv and Rus' is not just academic; it is currently being contested on the battlefield.
• Stepan Bandera is analyzed both as a historical figure—a radical nationalist leader—and as a powerful propaganda symbol. Plokhy underscores that Bandera's role as a Nazi collaborator is utilized by Russian propaganda to frame the current Ukrainian resistance under the trope of denazification.
• The Cossack Myth in the 19th century transitioned the discourse from estate-based loyalty to modern claims of national identity, challenging imperial structures.
The KGB and Modern Russia
"The methods that KGB use, they can use now... I think a lot of culture that came into existence in the Soviet KGB now became part of the culture of the Russian establishment."
Plokhy dives into the history of the KGB, referencing the assassin Bohdan Stashinsky to illustrate the moral and institutional rot of the secret police. He argues that the KGB mindset—characterized by secrecy, distrust, and top-down paranoia—is deeply embedded in the current Russian establishment, influencing how Vladimir Putin approaches decision-making and geopolitics.
War in Ukraine and Future Trajectories
• The Revolution of Dignity (2013) and the subsequent Russian invasion are framed as a fundamental clash between Ukrainian democracy and a Russian autocratic, imperial vision.
• Despite the war, Ukraine shows a unique resilience in managing ethnic and linguistic diversity, with the far-right remaining remarkably marginal, contrary to Russian propaganda claims.
• The Stashinsky trial and the later events in Bucharest (2008) are highlighted as key historical moments that illustrate the collision course between Russia's efforts to rebuild its sphere of influence and Ukraine's path toward European integration.