Beyond Geopolitics: Ideational Drivers of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Year: 2025

This article examines the ideational dimensions of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, such as the symbolic character of Crimea, Russian strategic culture, nationalism and identity, propaganda, and the function of misconceptions and illusions in shaping opinion and action. Although material and geopolitical factors are no doubt significant in the conflict, the ideational dimensions provide us with vital insight into the motivations of Russia’s assertive policies towards Ukraine. The symboli