The Myth of the “Russian World”
Russia’s Regime, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the War
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The goal of creating and defending a “Russian world” is sometimes cited as a motive that moved Russia’s leadership to start the war against Ukraine and led the Russian Orthodox Church to support it. This interpretation is untenable. The concept of the “Russian World” is vague in terms of content and history. Indisputably, there are historical similarities between Russia and Ukraine. But to consider these a normative factor for political action today would be misleading. The term “Russian world” does not help to understand the war and the reasons for it.
(Osteuropa, 3-4/2023, pp. 261–274)