Leiden University Student Repository

Danen, Bram F. (2016)

Russia and Ukraine. A post-colonial perspective on the Ukraine-Russia conflict

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

Few academics have taken a critical perspective on the Ukraine-Russia crisis. Therefore, this thesis examines the crisis between Ukraine and Russia from a post-colonial perspective. The case of Ukraine shows both the strengths and weaknesses of the post-colonial approach. While it is clear that a neo-colonial attitude does exist in Russia, this does not mean it directly influences individual foreign policy decisions. Post-colonialism cannot explain why Ukraine specifically is so important to Russia. Although Russia believes it has a civilising mission in the post-Soviet space in general, post-colonialism cannot explain Moscow’s specific policy response.

Russia

Ukraine

post-colonialism

russian imperialism

Vladimir Putin

Russian foreign policy

Author

Danen, Bram F.

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

International Relations

Supervisors

Gerrits, A.W.M.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en