Vladimir Putin and his advisers have long nurtured and exploited a cultural obsession with Russia’s past, particularly the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). In recent years, the Russian government has adeptly privatised the powerful memory of the Soviet Union’s Great Victory over Nazism for their own political needs. Yet, if at first these political uses of history appeared to be a tactic for uniting the nation and reaffirming a positive sense of identity, then over time it has grown into a darker temptation for policymakers and the population. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine suggests that Vladimir Putin really believes his own historically-infused propaganda in which Russia is the hero or the victim but never the perpetrator.

As part of a public discussion, Ivan Krastev, Michael Kimmage and Jade McGlynn will discuss the topics above and the role of historical myths in Vladimir Putin’s thinking and in justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They will also consider how the systemic flaws of the authoritarian power vertical in Russia contributed to masking reality and the extent to which analysts overlooked the role of emotion and messianism in Russian decision-making.

Speakers

Ivan Krastev, chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies, European Council on Foreign Relations; permanent fellow, Institute for Human Sciences, IWM Vienna

Michael Kimmage, professor of History, Catholic University of America; fellow, German Marshall Fund; member, Kennan Institute advisory board

Jade McGlynn, senior researcher, Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies