Identity, Empire, and Security: The Multi-faceted and Mutually Reinforcing Origins of Putin’s War on Ukraine

• In Event: Putin’s War and Russia’s War: Masses, Elites, and Leaders in Russian Foreign Policy

Abstract

The drivers of Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine are located at multiple levels of analysis and are both material and ideational. The war was driven both by underlying causes, such as Putin's views about Ukraine, as well as proximate causes, such as the effect of Russian policies toward Ukraine after 2014. Finally, Putin’s intended “demilitarization” of Ukraine has been motivated by the desire to fight when the balance of power is most advantageous and victory is easier to achieve than it would be at a later point in time.

Author

• David W. Rivera, Hamilton College