
Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Richard Sakwa: The Deep Roots of the Ukraine War
Jan 18, 2026
Richard Sakwa, a leading scholar on Russia and professor at the University of Kent, delves into the multifaceted origins of the Ukraine War. He presents four key layers underpinning the conflict, from internal dynamics in Ukraine to global power shifts. Sakwa discusses the mimetic rivalry between Russia and Ukraine, the implications of decolonial narratives, and the challenges of postwar European stability. He also highlights the impact of NATO's role and the need for new thinking in international relations, expressing cautious optimism for future diplomacy.
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Two Competing Visions Of Ukraine
- Ukrainian politics split between a monist nation-building model and a plural, hybrid model explains internal tensions.
- Richard Sakwa argues the plural, tolerant vision better fits Ukraine's mixed history and population.
Stalled Peace Plans And Moscow's Skepticism
- Sakwa recounts the 28‑point peace plan and subsequent 20‑point plan that Moscow finds unacceptable.
- He recalls Witkoff and Jared Kushner planning to visit Moscow amid Russian skepticism about circular diplomacy.
Mimetic Rivalry Between Russia And Ukraine
- Russia and Ukraine share a close civilizational space which fuels intense mimetic rivalry.
- Sakwa uses René Girard's theory to explain why proximity increases competitive hostility between them.




