Eugene Finkel, Kenneth H. Keller Professor at Johns Hopkins and author of "Intent to Destroy," dives deep into the historical struggle for Ukrainian identity against Russian domination. He unpacks Russia's persistent oppression tactics since the 19th century, including cultural erasure and famine. Unlike past attempts, Ukraine's recent unification against aggression marks a significant shift. The conversation also touches on the Cossack legacy, the impact of Soviet policies, and the evolution of radical nationalism, prompting a reevaluation of historical narratives.
01:12:58
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Kievan Rus and Mongol Influence
The Kievan Rus, a medieval state founded by Vikings, encompassed modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and western Russia.
The Mongol invasion in the 13th century led to the disintegration of the Kievan Rus and the rise of Moscow.
insights INSIGHT
Moscow's Claim to Power
Moscow's claim to power is linked to the fall of Kyiv and Constantinople, transferring authority both literally and genealogically.
Moscow's rulers are descendants of Kievan Rus' princes and, through marriage, Byzantine emperors, incorporating Mongol ideologies.
insights INSIGHT
Origins of the Cossacks
After the Mongol invasion, the land between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia became a haven for outlaws and those fleeing serfdom.
This area gave rise to the Cossacks, a militarized group protecting Poland from Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire raids, who valued their freedom.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Intent to Destroy, Russia's 200-year quest to dominate Ukraine
Intent to Destroy, Russia's 200-year quest to dominate Ukraine
Russia’s Two Hundred Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine
Eugene Finkel
Eugene Finkel's "Intent to Destroy" meticulously traces the historical trajectory of Russia's persistent attempts to dominate Ukraine. The book delves into centuries of conflict, highlighting the multifaceted strategies employed by Russian rulers to suppress Ukrainian identity and independence. Finkel masterfully weaves together political maneuvering, cultural suppression, and acts of violence to illustrate the enduring nature of this geopolitical struggle. The narrative underscores the deep-seated historical roots of the current conflict, providing crucial context for understanding the present crisis. Ultimately, the book serves as a compelling analysis of power dynamics and national identity in Eastern Europe.
Many were shocked in February 2022 by the Russian attempt to seize Kyiv and decapitate the Ukranian regime, thereby ending the war begun in 2014. But this was simply the latest in a long series of Russian attempts to “divide and oppress Ukraine.” Since the 19th century, dominating Ukraine has been a cornerstone of Russia’s national identity. To prevent Ukraine from choosing an alternative, Russian rulers of all ideological varieties have used not only history and cultural destruction as their methods, but executions, deportations, and famine. It is not very surprising, argues my guest Eugene Finkel, that these tools of oppression should be so readily picked up by yet another Russian autocrat. What makes this moment different is that for the first time in its history Ukraine has overcome its internal divisions and united in favor of independence from Russia.
Eugene Finkel is Kenneth H. Keller Professor of International Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. The author or coauthor of three previous books, his writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Foreign Affairs. He was born in Lviv, Ukraine, and lives in Bologna, Italy. His most recent book is Intent to Destroy: Russia’s Two Hundred Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine.
For Further Investigation
Eugene Finkel's previous books include Ordinary Jews: Choice and Survival during the Holocaust (Princeton University Press, 2017)
This conversation is related in some way to a surprising number of previous podcasts. One with Chris Miller on the perennial Russian pivot to Asia that always fails; you can hear a little about the Russian wars against the Turks for Ukraine in Episode 284, when I discussed the career of Russia's greatest general with Alex Mikaberidze; something about Ukrainian grain in my conversation with Scott Nelson about his book Oceans of Grain; a long conversation about Josef Pilsudski, founder of modern Poland; and Episode 348, about the Russian Civil War.
And of course my conversation with Michael Kimmage in Episode 354 about the immediate antecedents of the Ukrainian War. Listeners who believe in comparing arguments–and you should all believe in that–ought to listen to Kimmage immediately after digesting this podcast.
Historically Thinking