On Geopolitics

Episode 13: The Baltic States, Ukraine and Russia

May 25, 2022

Dr Donatas Kupciunas and hosts discuss Baltic States, Ukraine, and Russia history, independence struggles, and geopolitical strategies. They explore Lithuanian Grand Duchy, Soviet incorporation impact, national identity struggles, unity against Russian behavior, and 2014 Ukraine revolution. The conversation also touches on citizenship issues, weaponization of history, and strained relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

44:55

Creator website

Episode guests

Donatas Kupciunas

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Quick takeaways

The Baltic States' historical ties to Ukraine and Russian influence impact their support for Ukraine in diverting Russian attention.

Geopolitical rivalries and shared history shape the Baltic States' alignment with NATO against Russian dominance.

Deep dives

Baltic States History and Ukraine Crisis Context

The Baltic States share a historical arc with Ukraine, gaining independence in 1918, losing it in 1940, becoming part of the USSR until 1991. Geopolitics drives the Baltic support for Ukraine against Russian dominance, aiming to divert attention from the Baltic States. The region's shared history intertwines Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine with a focus on geopolitical rivalries.

The Bolshevik Revolution's Impact on the Russian Empire

00:59

Intro

5min

Historical Events of Lithuanian Grand Duchy to Independence of Baltic States, Ukraine, and Belarus

5min

Historical Context and National Identity in the Baltic States

11min

Historical Frictions and Unity Against Russian Behavior in the Baltic States

18min

Analysis of the 2014 developments in Ukraine and Russia

2min

Understanding the Growing Divide Between Russia and Ukraine

5min

Dr Donatas Kupciunas joins Ali and Suzanne to discuss their shared history and whether they will ever escape it.

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The hosts:

Suzanne Raine is an Affiliate Lecturer at the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University. She served for 24 years in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and national security issues, including postings in Poland, Iraq and Pakistan. She specialised in counter-terrorism and was a senior member of the UK government assessment community. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Ali Ansari is professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews in the UK. He is also Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

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On Geopolitics

Episode 13: The Baltic States, Ukraine and Russia

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Baltic States History and Ukraine Crisis Context

Commonwealth and Lithuanian-Polish Relations

Formation of the Baltic States and Relations with Russia

Russian Minority and Geopolitical Dynamics

The Bolshevik Revolution's Impact on the Russian Empire

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts