Origins of the War with Ivan Krastev

How did Europe’s political evolution shape the conditions that preceded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? In this episode of Origins of the War, Michael Kimmage speaks with Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia, for a wide-ranging discussion on the European dimensions of the war in Ukraine. This conversation explores the growth of the European Union in the 2000s, Ukraine’s changing relationship with Europe, the geopolitical shifts surrounding the Maidan period of 2013–2014, and Europe’s broader relationship with Russia prior to the full-scale invasion in 2022. Topics include: • The expansion and transformation of the European Union • Europe’s evolving political identity after the Cold War • Ukraine’s relationship with Europe before and after Maidan • Russia’s perception of European integration • The historical roots of Putin’s strategic thinking • The broader European and intellectual context behind the war Drawing on political analysis, cultural understanding, and historical reflection, Ivan Krastev offers crucial insight into how Europe’s own transformations intersected with the origins of the war. Subscribe for more conversations on Russia, Ukraine, and post-Soviet states. #Ukraine #Russia #Europe #IvanKrastev #OriginsOfTheWar #KennanInstitute #Geopolitics