What is the Role of Nationalism and Ethnicity in the Russia–Ukraine Crisis?. Issue 4 (20th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Erika
• Is Part Of: Europe-Asia studies. Volume 72:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 613
• Publication Date: 2020-04-20
• Subjects: Europe, Eastern -- Periodicals; Eurasia -- Periodicals; Former Soviet republics -- Periodicals; Soviet Union -- History -- Periodicals; 940
• DOI: 10.1080/09668136.2019.1708865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-8136

Abstract

Abstract: The article explores the Russia–Ukraine crisis of 2014 in the context of post-communist nationalism and the disintegration of the post-Soviet space. The focus is on the politicisation of the ethno-linguistic divide and historical narratives in the interplay between Russia's determination to control Ukraine's political future and Ukraine's resolve to free itself from Russian influence. In highlighting the incompatibility between Russian and Ukrainian nationalising projects, it is argued that while the Ukrainian crisis is not an ethnic conflict per se, nationalism was a significant contributory factor in fuelling the conflict and remains a relevant obstacle to its resolution.