In the Shadow of Invasion: Perspectives on the Russo-Ukrainian War and Russian Reimperialization
Global Friday Presents
Dr. Agnieszka Pawlowska-Mainville, Associate Professor, Department of First Nations Studies &
Dr. Maryna Romanets, Professor, Department of English
University of Northern British Columbia
ABSTRACT: Media outlets around the world are now anxiously discussing the possibility of a full-blown Russo-Ukrainian war, which started in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea that followed the Ukrainian Maidan, prodemocracy and anti-corruption revolution. We are going to look here at some points in Russia’s downward journey in the protracted process of an aggressive reimperialization of its imaginary “spheres of privileged interests,” which include the former Soviet republics, the countries of the Soviet bloc, and the Western beyond. Putin is preparing to invade Ukraine again in order to further challenge the norms of international stability that emerged after WWII by destabilizing Ukraine economically and politically, showcasing it as a failed state, and taking his fight against democracy to the European Union, NATO, and the US. We will share some recent developments in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine, as well as contextualize how the crisis has been weighing down on the Ukrainian/Polish citizens, political discourse, and emigrants alike.
Online via Zoom Webinar: https://unbc.zoom.us/j/63634936861?pwd=bXlCQmgxSFMvLzVXdytDWFpTK2NlQT09
Webinar ID: 636 3493 6861 Passcode: 636 3493 6861
Global Fridays gratefully acknowledges funding from the Faculties of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities; Business and Economics; Environment; Human and Health Sciences; Science and Engineering.