Why can't Putin accept Ukraine's independence?
Prof. Nathaniel KnightThe invasion of Ukraine by Russia took the world by surprise. But tension between these two nations has been bubbling for many years. Why is Ukraine so important to Putin? And how did we get from Ukrainian independence to invasion?
Learn about this Garden Talk
Last week's invasion of Ukraine by Russia took the world by surprise, but tension between these two nations have been bubbling for many years. What do you need to know about Ukraine's journey from independence to invasion and how we got here?
The history of the Russian-Ukrainian relationship is long and complex. Leading Historian Prof. Nathaniel Knight is on hand to help establish the key facts you need to know. For over 25 years, Nathaniel has been studying the history of Russian and Eastern Europe at Seton Hall University in the US, having first gained on-the-ground insights living in Russian in the early 1990s. He saw the breakup of the Soviet Union and its aftermath first-hand and has been fascinated with the evolution of Russia since.
In this Conversation, Prof. Knight will share a look back on how the end of the USSR has shaped the world we live in now - right up to the atrocities we see playing out on our screens today.
Join Nathaniel here in The Garden and equip yourself with the background you'll need to follow the war in Ukraine as it unfolds.
Talk outline
50 minutes
Ukraine War
About the Fellow
If you need to know about the history of Russia and Eastern Europe, Nathaniel is your man. He's Professor of History at Seton Hall University in the US, but he also lived in the Soviet Union during the breakup of the USSR, giving him on-the-ground insight.
Thank you notes from Garden members
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