Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Nicolai Petro: Chaos After Ukraine Collapses
Jan 1, 2026
Nicolai N. Petro, a political science professor and former U.S. State Department special assistant, shares his insights on the looming end of the Ukraine War. He explores Europe's potential fragmentation as a consequence of the conflict, discussing historical parallels with the Peloponnesian War. Petro critically examines Ukraine's dependency on Western support and the internal divisions that complicate reconciliation. He highlights Europe's misjudgments regarding Russia and anticipates a shift in political dynamics post-war, raising concerns about future security agreements.
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Internal Divisions Threaten Postwar Ukraine
- Modern Ukrainian politics treats internal minorities as suspect, deepening social rifts that will matter after the war ends.
- Nicolai Petro warns lasting peace requires societal reconciliation beyond elite negotiations.
Europe Left Ukraine Strategically Undersupported
- Europe promised robust support for Ukraine but repeatedly failed to deliver sufficient funds and reconstruction commitments.
- Petro argues this leaves Ukraine on life support without the resources to heal or rebuild social cohesion.
Emigre Experience Shows Hatred Can Fade
- Petro recalls growing up among émigré communities where inherited hatred faded across generations.
- He uses this personal observation to argue societies can move from hate toward compassion after conflict.