Why Did Russia Invade? [Portland, OR & virtual]

The History, Social Sciences, and Law Section of the Shevchenko Scientific Society invites you to a timely talk by political scientists Maria Popova (McGill University) and Oxana Shevel (Tufts University).

In their recent book, Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States, Popova and Shevel challenge the narrative that NATO expansion provoked the invasion. Instead, they argue that Russia’s slide into authoritarianism led its government to view Ukraine’s democratic, pro-European trajectory as a direct threat. Their talk will explore Russia’s refusal to accept Ukrainian sovereignty and how it has relied on geopolitical tensions with the West to justify aggression. Their analysis provides crucial insights into the real causes of the war.

This event will take place in-person at Reed College and virtually online.

Join via Zoom

Event page at Reed College

5:00 pm Pacific Time
8:00 pm Eastern Time