Conflict between Russia and Ukraine
In the political landscape of 2025, the conflict in Ukraine continues to be a subject of intense interest and debate. One scholar whose work has provided significant insights into this complex issue is Gwendolyn Sasse, an expert at the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS).
On 28th May 2025, Sasse was interviewed by Sebastian Hoppe on WDR 5 Mittagsecho, discussing Ukraine's new policy and President Zelensky's visit to Merz. This interview followed a series of appearances, including a guest contribution for Tagesspiegel on 10th February 2025, where Sasse analysed Trump's claim to have spoken to Putin and the possibility of forcing the Kremlin leader to negotiate.
Sasse's book, "The War against Ukraine. Backgrounds, Events, Consequences," published by C.H.Beck in 2022, offers a detailed analysis of the political and societal context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The book is part of ongoing scholarly efforts to understand how Russia’s historical relationships with Ukraine, Europe, and the West, along with post-Cold War geopolitics, culminated in the war.
Sasse's analysis emphasises that Russia's invasion of Ukraine cannot be fully explained by abstract structural or systemic factors alone but must be understood through the lens of authoritarian leadership dynamics, the interplay of political and societal identities, and the long-term historical context between Russia and Ukraine.
The book explores the development of Russia's political system over the past two decades, highlighting its evolution towards a de-institutionalized, personalist dictatorship centered around Vladimir Putin and his elite circle. This concentration of power is crucial to understanding the agency behind Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, as the war reflects the strategic aims and worldview of the Kremlin leadership rather than broader structural pressures alone.
The book also delves into the societal repercussions within Ukraine and Russia, tracing how historical narratives, identity issues, and cultural ties have influenced the conflict’s course and the populations’ responses. Within Ukraine, the war has intensified a sense of national identity and resistance, deepening societal cohesion in the face of Russian aggression. In contrast, in Russia, Sasse points to increasing political repression and propaganda, which serve to bolster the regime internally but also create tensions and fractures beneath the surface.
Beyond the immediate military conflict, Sasse's work assesses the consequences for Europe and the international order, showing how the war has exposed vulnerabilities and reconfigurations in global alliances and perceptions of security.
ZOiS has been a partner in the Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) - Berlin (KIU) since 2024. The organisation also offers a School@ZOiS program for students to plan information formats on the war in Ukraine for classroom use and a Ukraine Research Network@ZOiS (UNET) to connect and make more visible social science research on Ukraine.
In addition, ZOiS experts publish external articles in academic journals, anthologies, magazines, and blogs, and an interview with Sasse about her book is available in ZOiS's "Meet the Author" series. The book analyzes the developments in Ukraine preceding the Russian attack and the role Ukraine plays for increasingly authoritarian Russia.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Sasse's work provides a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the situation and the factors driving the actions of the key players involved. Her book, "The War against Ukraine. Backgrounds, Events, Consequences," offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis that is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand this critical issue.
- The political landscape of 2025 sees the ongoing debate about the conflict in Ukraine, with scholars like Gwendolyn Sasse, an expert from the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), offering valuable analyses to general news platforms about the intricacies of the issue.
- In her book "The War against Ukraine. Backgrounds, Events, Consequences," Gwendolyn Sasse explores not only the conflict's military aspects but also its impact on education, society, and politics in both Ukraine and Russia, providing essential insights into how War-and-Conflicts, politics, and general-news are intertwined in this complex issue.
