Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States

The root of the Russo-Ukrainian War is not geopolitical competition, but the multifaceted divergence between Ukraine and Russia over the past 30 years. As Ukraine consolidated a competitive political system and a distinct pro-European identity, Russia reverted back to authoritarianism, refused to accept Ukraine's right to forge its own course, and came to see it as an “anti-Russia”.

Thank you to Iowa City City Channel 4 for the recording and to the Iowa City Public Library for hosting this event.