Andrey Kortunov offers three scenarios for the end of the war in Ukraine
The Russian political scientist sees it as a clash between societies as well as armies
THE MILITARY confrontation between Russia and Ukraine is not an ethnic conflict: ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic Russians are fighting on both sides of the frontline. And radical nationalism is not the main motivation for Ukrainian resistance—contrary to many of Moscow’s statements. Neither is it a fight about religion. Both Russia and Ukraine are essentially secular states, and the recent religious renaissance in the two countries is superficial. Nor is the fight mostly about territory, in my view (though related disputes remain a formidable obstacle to reaching a peace settlement).
This article appeared in the By Invitation section of the print edition under the headline “Andrey Kortunov offers three scenarios for the end of the war in Ukraine”
From the May 28th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from By Invitation
Peter Sands of the Global Fund on the pandemic’s positive legacies
New vaccines got most of the attention but there’s a lot more to celebrate
Trumpism is becoming more pragmatic, argues Reihan Salam
But not all of the incoming president’s backers buy it
Time is not on Russia’s side, argues Finland’s foreign minister
Elina Valtonen calls for a lower oil-price cap and tougher measures against Russia’s shadow fleet
Oriana Skylar Mastro makes a case for paring America’s nukes
The political scientist explains why beefing up is bad China strategy
A new Iranian approach to regional security and prosperity, by M. Javad Zarif
Iran’s vice-president on how his country can make the region more secure and prosperous
The EU must be bolder and faster in enlarging, writes Nicu Popescu
A former foreign minister of Moldova on the means and the dividends of speedier accession