“Before 2014, only 34% of Ukrainians supported membership in NATO. Only 34%. So in other words, this was not on the agenda for the country of Ukraine. Most Ukrainians wanted higher standards of living and they really wanted to join the European Union… but everything changed in 2014.”
In this episode of The Idealists. (formerly Grit & Grace), host and entrepreneur Melissa Kiguwa interviews Dr. Anna Pechenkina about Russia’s recent military invasion of Ukraine. Dr. Pechenkina received her PhD in Political Science at Penn State University and works as an assistant professor at the Political Science Department at Utah State University. Her research seeks to understand how peace emerges out of war and why it succeeds or fails.
During the show, Dr. Pechenkina provides insights into what is currently happening in Ukraine and the context for Ukraine’s relationship with Russia prior to the invasion.
about the episode.
Dr. Pechenkina begins the episode by describing the relationship between Ukraine and Russia after Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014.
She then explains alternative political strategies Vladimir Putin could have employed instead of military invasion.
Dr. Pechenkina goes on to describes the various “alternate realities” that may happen if the invasion lasts longer than expected.
At the end of the episode, Dr. Pechenkina explains how people around the world can support the people of Ukraine during this time.