Where Did Vladimir Putin’s Dream Of a ‘Russian World’ Come From?
From The Observatory
In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin justified invading Ukraine by claiming he needed to protect and reunite the "Russian world." This idea is rooted in cultural and religious beliefs from Tsarist Russia rather than the Soviet Union's socialist ideology. However, history shows that the region now known as Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania was never a unified "Russian world." Instead, it had various competing powers like Kyiv, Vilnius, and Moscow, along with powerful nomadic empires like the Khazars, Mongols, and Crimean Khanate.
The region’s political landscape changed significantly over time. By the late 18th century, Tsarist Russia forcibly unified these areas into a single state, a process completed by the Romanov dynasty. This unified state existed until the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, leading to the independence of 12 countries, including Ukraine and Lithuania.
Historically, Ukraine and Lithuania were major centers of power and culture. They helped shape Russian culture without needing an autocratic ruler. For example, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were vast empires that maintained political stability and cultural diversity without centralized control. Similarly, Kievan Rus', a medieval state founded by the Varangians, was a key influence on Russian culture but was never an absolute autocracy.
After the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, the region came under the control of the Mongol Golden Horde. This period led to a more centralized form of governance, which later influenced the Russian state’s development. However, the Mongol’s decline allowed the rise of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Muscovy (later Tsardom of Russia).
Under leaders like Ivan the Terrible and later the Romanovs, Russia expanded its territory, becoming a significant empire by the 18th century. Despite its large size, Russia's current economy is relatively small compared to other major powers like the U.S. and China.
Putin’s Russia, much like medieval Muscovy, focuses on military strength and nationalism. However, its reliance on exporting natural resources and the isolation caused by the Ukraine invasion threaten its long-term stability and economic future. Putin’s vision for Russia seems more aligned with historical autocrats like Ivan the Terrible rather than modern, progressive leaders.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
