Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

Russia through the eyes of Vladimir Putin

Feb 26, 2025

Orlando Figes, a leading historian and author on Russian history, offers deep insights into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He explains how Putin's beliefs about Ukraine's identity stem from a complex historical narrative. Figes discusses the historical roots of the Rus and Crimea's governance changes, shedding light on their relevance today. His reflections on the evolution of Russian society in the 1980s provide a personal touch, revealing the profound impact of these events on contemporary geopolitical tensions.

23:29

Creator website

Episode guests

Orlando Figes

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Putin's narrative framing Ukraine as part of Russia is a product of historical revisionism that feeds into his expansionist policies.

The hybrid warfare strategies employed by Russia highlight the need for Europe to enhance military readiness and cybersecurity investments.

Deep dives

Putin's Deceptive Diplomacy

The dynamics between Putin and Trump exemplify a troubling alliance that dismisses Ukraine's sovereignty. Both leaders seem to view Ukraine as a pawn in their geopolitical strategies, prioritizing their own interests over the nation's independence. For instance, Putin's recent overtures towards American companies for business deals in occupied territories suggest a blatant disregard for international law and Ukrainian rights. This partnership underscores a cynical disregard for the implications of realpolitik, where grand power plays overshadow the lives and rights of smaller nations like Ukraine.

Intro

2min

Power Play and Political Manipulation

6min

Historical Narratives and Modern Conflict

9min

Exploring the Multicultural Roots of the Rus and the Complex History of Crimea

4min

A Journey Through Russian History and Personal Reflections

4min

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long maintained the stance that Ukraine is fundamentally a part of Russian territory—a belief that's at the heart of the ongoing conflict. It’s a view rooted in a complex web of historical narratives that date back centuries.

GUEST: Historian and author, Orlando Figes
PRODUCER: Ali Benton

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more