Jacobin Radio Jacobin Radio: The Legacy of Revolutionary Ukraine w/ Vladyslav Starodubtsev
Aug 20, 2025
Vladyslav Starodubtsev, a Ukrainian left activist, historian, and soldier, explores the interconnected struggles for Ukrainian autonomy across history. He discusses the significant but short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic and its principles of land reform and gender equality. Starodubtsev contrasts historical events with contemporary U.S.-Russia diplomacy and critiques land deals that could endanger Ukraine's sovereignty. He emphasizes the ongoing fight against imperial ambitions and the lessons from Ukraine's revolutionary past for today's democracy.
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Summit Is A Propaganda Win
- The Alaska summit mainly serves Russian propaganda by legitimizing Putin and showcasing him internationally.
- Vladyslav Starodubtsev calls the meeting largely pointless diplomatically and driven by Trump's personal style.
Land Swaps Are A Trap
- Putin's goal remains destruction of Ukrainian identity and control of fortified positions, not genuine peace.
- Proposals like land swaps are propaganda tools that would worsen Ukraine's security, Starodubtsev argues.
Ceasefires Often Favor Rearmament
- Temporary pauses benefit both sides by allowing regrouping, rearmament, and fortification rather than a final settlement.
- Starodubtsev warns a ceasefire risks Russia rebuilding faster and prolonging conflict.