Origins of the War with Timothy Snyder

How did the Ukrainian national idea emerge, and why does that history matter today? In this episode of Origins of the War, Michael Kimmage speaks with Timothy Snyder, one of the foremost historians of Eastern and Central Europe, about the historical roots of Ukrainian identity, the evolution of Russian foreign policy under Vladimir Putin, and the factors that led to Russia’s invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. Drawing on centuries of history, Snyder explores the development of Ukrainian political consciousness, the legacy of the Cossack era, the emergence of modern nationalism in the nineteenth century, and the resilience of Ukrainian identity through war, repression, and state collapse. The conversation also examines how competing interpretations of history have shaped contemporary Russian and Ukrainian politics, and why understanding Ukraine’s past remains essential to understanding the current war. Topics discussed include: • The origins of the Ukrainian national idea • The Cossack era and early Ukrainian statehood • Nationalism and political thought in the nineteenth century • Ukraine after World War I • The survival of Ukrainian identity in the Soviet period • Russian historical narratives about Ukraine • Vladimir Putin’s worldview and foreign policy • The origins of Russia’s invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 • Ukraine’s place in Europe Timothy Snyder is the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and the author of numerous influential books on Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and the history of authoritarianism, nationalism, and war. Subscribe for more conversations on Russia, Ukraine, and the post-Soviet states. #OriginsOfTheWar #TimothySnyder #Ukraine #Russia #UkrainianHistory #EuropeanHistory #KennanInstitute