Monterey Conversations: Russian Foreign Policy, Past and Present | Kotkin | Kimmage

[@stevefrayne]

Thank you for hosting Stephen Kotkin. He is easily the best contemporary scholar on Soviet history in the sweeping view of world politics.

[@Mr.Altavoz]

and China 👍

[@torpedodropkick59]

99% accurate, just one issue I don’t agree, but great scholar!

[@hudhinton8243]

Absolutely agree. He's the best on contemporary Russian history. He is also, correctly, not an apologist for NATO that has always been a defensive organization.

[@manatee2500]

David Satter.

[@hectorhernandez7299]

@@hudhinton8243 🤣

[@craygraydeb1916]

Kotkin always leaves me considering many aspects..always a welcome thing. Thanks for sharing

[@Teak701]

Professor Kotkin is brilliant, and no matter how often i listen to one of his lectures, I always gain new insight. Thank you.

[@michaeldelisieux]

Completely agree.

[@michaeldelisieux]

Completely agree.

[@rumplestiltskin72]

Completely disagree

[@Grundewalt]

agree. I am also astonished of the number of entities that invite him, I guess to gain some visibility for themselves. Some of representants of these institutions softly attack his humanly viiews and his pro-ukrainian stance.. ..The other day it was "the good fellows" , some guys that collectively are some smart a$$es, like those that offered Zelensky a ride ,and were and still are ok with letting Putler having chunks of teritories and sheres of influence, like in middle ages. Sorry for the rant...I am just upset at all these political or ideological entities that allign themselves with Hilter 2.0 for no reason other than the anti western jihad.

[@rumplestiltskin72]

@@Grundewalt Disagree

[@youthfulfreshnessanddreams7030]

Professor Kotkin is a great TEACHER of anybody who wants to learn and understand modern history of the world.. Thanks a lot 👍.

[@kuyre2239]

he completely ignore existence of CHINA. Russia has natural resources. china has man power and technology.

[@petercooper774]

Po 2:54 2:55 my😮

[@philipmccready7090]

I am a big fan of Prof. Kotkin - his books and his presentations. Thank you for putting this on.

[@ninyli1]

Love clarity of thought and expertice of Steven Kotkin. Great interview!

[@davidanderson9664]

Thank you guys: listening to Kotkin snore would be 100x better than listening to any Russian analyst and 99% of intellectuals lecture. On any topic. He's top notch!! D.A., J.D. (writer, attorney, politics/history/Russia buff), NYC

[@johnsmith1474]

Your statement suggests you haven't studied the topic sufficiently to know how to be critical here. Your bs compliment is, and I am sure Kotkin would agree, useless prattle.

[@mchozen2958]

It was fun. No harm in that.

[@talktidy7523]

Prof Kotkin, always instructive & thought provoking.

[@paulsturgul5829]

@UCvzfjftIbz7BW_tCqnckmJA What do you think are the real reasons for Putin's invasion of Ukraine? Do you think the Biden administration is wrong to support Zelensky and the Ukrainians?

[@mweiss5896]

Ok

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

Professor Kotkin is usually instructive and thought provoking. A fine historian most of the time. But about once per public appearance he goes Whooppee! off the rails for a brief little infantile series of snarks against the Democratic Party. He's had a pleasant laugh and some applause for that silly stuff from some Chamber of Commerce audience in Podunk, and it's Skinnerized, trained, him into the bad habit of going for cheap rightwing laughs. Sad.

[@barryc1968]

Thankyou Professor for making sense of our post war world.

[@dagmarueberfeld-lang4088]

great interview with the brilliant Professor Kotkin. Always so educational and presented so eloquently. Thank for this.

[@Mr.Altavoz]

Thank you professor Kotkin, it's always a pleasure to hear your thoughts on the conflicts... Please 🙏 do this more often.

[@dustyfairview9062]

Mr. Kotkin. Ive spent 3 years trying to get from 7 year war to yesterday. Thanks for organizing our thought. I probably could not have

[@donny_doyle]

Prof Kotkin is a living Google machine- his knowledge depth is staggering.

[@maxnagel9321]

🤦‍♂️

[@markb8468]

This is a very insightful man. I always look forward to listening to him even if I've already heard some of the topics.

[@johnsmith1474]

Hoover Institution Neocon think tanker.

[@--Dani]

@@johnsmith1474 um no...

[@karinfroller7403]

@@johnsmith1474 Can Russian bots not think of a better name than John Smith? You clearly have no creativity at all. I hope you don't fall out of a window for underperforming and disappointing your dear leader.

[@1patula]

Stephen Kotkin is absolutely essential for western societies to listen. He has absolutely mastered Russia history and understands underlaying dynamics of Eastern Europe. I said western society because eastern societies already know from history. Thank you

[@Yasen99]

Carthage must be destroyed. What else is new?

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

The people from their safe spaces talking about how to interact with a murderous regime. Western arrogance and indifference at its FINEST. No one cares old white dudes…. Tell me more about how Ukraine is gonna fall in 3 days and Zelensky’s gonna run. That’s what I thought. Let me guess, Chomsky’s on next lmao

[@Blanka1100]

Russia's neighbors have been warning about Putin for years. Nobody listened. Suddenly Western societies have Picacu face.

[@bearowen5480]

@@Yasen99 Hannibal and Carthage were destroyed by a Roman Empire which knew how to create and employ the power of coalition warfare. Also, "He who has the most elephants loses". (credit unknown, US Naval War College, 1993)

[@crabluva]

There are always many replies from Russians or in Russian lamenting how Kotkin understands Russian society better than any Russian historian.

[@robertmiller2173]

Thank you so much! Stephen is the best historian around! Kindest Regards from a Country Boy from the South Island of New Zealand! Thank you Michael and Stephen. In my opinion Stephen Kotkin is the the best in the world on this topic by far! Stephen, would you contemplate a trip to New Zealand and Australia? Let me know, I'm sure I can help! Down under is a great place to go when you a sick of your Northern Hemisphere winter, so is Fiji, The Cook Islands.....bla bla

[@hatalatesting6476]

"Maybe it'll work, in the same way that maybe socialism will work someday, and it won't be about gulags and ration tickets." - Dr. Kotkin's insight and intelligence are so illuminating. Watching these interviews puts me back in the best college classes I ever took - the classes with the most engaging professors. He's incredibly witty too, which doesn't come through as much in this particular video.

[@ericwillis777]

Brilliant, understanable, coherent, and prescient. What a tragedy that Simoyan or Siloviev wouldn't air Professor Kotkin's lesson !

[@ThangNguyen-kk1wh]

You rearranged the chairs on the TITANIC deck...🤣🤣🤣... it's so humorous and deep !!! You are my best Teacher 👍🙏😍

[@giovannipotenza123]

Love this man. He heals the American soul like a priest. Thats a gift man.

[@chrisjones1238]

Could listen to this man for hours.

[@maxnagel9321]

Without getting to the point…

[@godursolamehahaxd9909]

@@maxnagel9321 this is a "you" problem

[@Nurj81]

Thank you Professor Kotkin. I am learning a lot.

[@jeannettejordan7104]

Very informative presentation. It’s opened my eyes and changed my prospective.

[@jeannettejordan7104]

@@jima3129 Right! Thanks for catching that.

[@jamesg2382]

I have listened to many of Kotkin’s talks. Each time I learn a lot that I have not heard or read before.

[@drgeorgek]

Possibly Prof. Kotkin’s best talk on KZbin

[@Theiliteritesbian]

Nice

[@kensurrency2564]

the deep dive back to 18th and 19th century history laid down some seriously good context!

[@drgeorgek]

@@kensurrency2564agree… such a wonderful crescendo

[@savakiranbaan8546]

Stephen Kotkin,s knowledge is amazing👏! 🙏🌷🔥

[@SeattlePioneer]

And by the way, Professor Kotkin! We are all waiting for Volume III of the Stalin autobiography! No more tea and crumpets on the lecture circuit until this great work is finished!

[@zolandia5262]

I would guess that the intensification of conflict since February has affected the ability to carry out historical research in Russia and access to archives. Hopefully he's done all the work he needs to over there. He might want to re-focus parts of the book in light of current events as well.

[@whitepanties2751]

Adopt the Stalin solution. Establish a 5 year plan by which all historical biographies have to be completed within 5 years, otherwise the author is sent to the Gulag.

[@vasilygrossman1944]

Autobiography?

[@MrCarlGW]

Excellent, as always.

[@sherrillwhately7586]

Fascinating lecture!

[@cinepost]

I know he’s not specifically teaching here, but he has become aware of the huge classroom he now commands from KZbin. Not sure he needs a classroom anymore. He would do more good to continue with perspective on the past and how the West can act in the moment to combat the evil it faces, if it can stay the course.

[@karinfroller7403]

I think he is really helpful in informing the public. We have to win the information war. Western societies need to stay on board. Putin truly believes he can outlast us. This war of conquest must fail!

[@Smoked93POL]

I love how arrogant and self-confident Mr Kontkin can be. But man, THIS man, has knowledge, wisdom, express himself brilliantly and I love listening to his lectures. He is really interesting as a Persona.

[@barrylane1055]

You love his arrogance??? It is a sign of weakness and defensiveness!!! Don't be fooled. Do you know his background???

[@trentw.3566]

He is Joe Pesci's long lost brother. Quite suspicious. Quite suspicious.

[@bearowen5480]

Strongly disagree. He is remarkably humble when one considers his monumental command of historical facts, his impressive intellectual credentials, and his growing rock star status in the popular blogosphere. I find him personable and charming in his self deprecation, particularly when he responds to sometimes naive and sophomoric questions from students.

[@Smoked93POL]

@@bearowen5480 That is true, I agree. I love his both interview with Lex Friedman. Kotkin is great.

[@jeffreysilverman3633]

Fascinating interview with Dr. Stephen Kotkin! He is always brilliant and I seek him out for incredibly insightful, thoughtful ideas on any subject matter area he chooses to comment on.

[@eleanorkett1129]

I always welcome Stephen Kotkin's input. Thank you for this conversation.

[@dominicrooney5638]

Listening to SK is like watching a master mechanic taking apart the most complicated machine in the world, name the parts, explain how they work, then put it back together. again

[@bearowen5480]

Excellent analogy. People of my generation would have said about Professor Kotkin that his mind works like a fine Swiss watch. Your analogy to a skilled mechanic will resonate with those who have no personal experience with the mechanical perfection of Swiss watches.

[@TheFaveteLinguis]

Kotkin gang is here again. 'I am a historiacal to you? Historical how? Am I educating you?'

[@safewash5197]

LOL

[@aslamtu]

Thank you. Scholarship and analysis par excellence

[@ADAM-fy8ht]

Prof. Kotkin is a living legend. 👍

[@maxnagel9321]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Gregory98]

I love Mr. Kotkin. His research has always been world-class

[@alanaadams7440]

Russia signs a lot of agreements but when it suits them they don't adhere to them

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

Really like listening to Steven. Always learn something new. 👍

[@bettycockman2138]

Prof Kotkin is so laid back, kind and NY. At the same time, one of the most intelligent, informed and clever historians this world has ever produced. Kotkin for POTUS. Adulation from W AUSTRALIA.

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

@@bettycockman2138 Well he'd certainly be better than the last 5 POTUS. 👍

[@inzhener2007]

Yeltsin started rebuilding autocracy and expansion of the Empire as soon as he got the full power. Especially, when he intentionally and careful saved and restarted the KGB under other names.

[@chuckinterrante4986]

This was an exceptional presentation. I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@johnnysprocketz]

Exceptional because you have so little knowledge of the history of the world, to a learned man such as myself it was drivel.

[@karinfroller7403]

@@johnnysprocketz you are truly a humble man

[@johnnysprocketz]

@@karinfroller7403 indeed.

[@johnjohnradicaltalks561]

Always...I learn and enjoy the classes.... John John

[@eddielindaa]

Mr. President Give Mr. Kotkin a job as advisor to u He is very knowledgeable and wise....

[@ays5696]

Enjoyed this very much. Dr Kotkin is as usual - informative and helpful with his analyses. The moderator’s questions were perfect. Thank you for posting this. Would love to hear these two explore in depth current Ukrainian situation.

[@kostihouse]

Steven kotkin great as usual. Only thing i think he is wrong about are the pipelines. I think the americans had much more to gain from that than the russians.

[@j.calvert3361]

Very good, very dense information, very pointedly summarised. And a very realistic outlook on things to come. 👍

[@garyjennings5490]

Brilliant

[@efanshel]

What a great summary of the last 200 or so years. Well worth 90 minutes of my time....

[@Rimasta1]

When Kotkin speaks, I listen.

[@maxnagel9321]

without getting to the point

[@patricederambuteau826]

Germany weapons production in 1944 was the highest of the War.

[@--Dani]

If one wants real insights into Russian history, there is no one better alive the Dr. Kotkin, in the English world and probably even the Russian speaking world.

[@johnsmith1474]

Back that up.

[@--Dani]

@@johnsmith1474 read all of his books...then others books. There's a start

[@Yasen99]

Insights are in the eye of the beholder. Kotkin's narrative makes profound sense to those who are already inclined to think within his framework, which is predicated on the ideology of the American Global Empire and which is designed to buttress faith in its benevolence and invincibility. If you don't come from this background and you do not share the precepts from which Kotkin proceeds, then Kotkin's narrative is profoundly and incorrigibly flawed. It is rooted in one very important quality - conceit and arrogance. His judgment is so suffused with those vices that they cast a long shadow over pretty much everything else he says. And what's even more tragic is that Kotkin does not even notice how offensively and provocatively arrogant he is. People like that need cure - and it's not impossible that Russia will provide the remedy.

[@--Dani]

@@Yasen99 no there is historical fact and there are historical anti-truths...the one's the current and past Russian governments deals in. I'll stay in the real world where 2+2=4...cheers.

[@kensurrency2564]

@@Yasen99facts are facts, and the truth is that the world changed immensely after the industrial revolution. marx didn’t like it; and his descendants tried to force collectivism when it wasn’t wanted. russia does seem to be living in a memory of the past, and communism won’t do china much good either. the world isn’t quite ready for the next economic and political solution. so here we are.

[@kickicker6058]

Fantastic Summation of Russian Foreign Policy.

[@patrickshanley4466]

Outstanding

[@Telluwide]

The French term "Bistro" came from the times with the defeat of Napoleon in Paris as they flooded French restaurants and cafe's saying "Bistra, Bistra!". The Russian word for quick or quickly, fast...lol

[@Telluwide]

I must say that Kotkin and Zeihan get the Geopolitics of Russia pretty spot on...

[@arktseytlin]

+1

[@RobBCactive]

The king's of England had long required parliamentry consent to raise taxes, the "Divine Right of Kings" was a continental absolute monarchy concept like in France. So Charles Stuart was himself trying to break with history and chose to settle the matter with force raising his standard against both parliament and the majority of his own people.

[@spiritofseventysix1155]

Dang...I would have loved to have been there...how does one find your future schedule at Monterey Institute in Russian Study, at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey as Iam a visitor often to your hamlet with its historic natural lovely coastal surroudings 😊 Thanks.

[@valleyairsolutions3026]

Steven You give me hope we need more like you Thank you

[@zolandia5262]

Very interesting perspectives. Minor point - I wouldn't compare the situation and democratic potential of Stuart England with present day Russia. Despite the divine right of kings, England had Magna carta in 1215 and a parliament since the 13th century. Liberalism has always found much stonier ground in Russia. It wasn't helped by all the Western hucksters and grifters who flocked there in the 1990s.

[@nathanjones5457]

Love Kotkin.

[@Eyesayah]

Obviously, Mr. Kotkin is a prominent figure with impeccable credentials, deriving in part from a brilliant and disciplined mind. Others might disagree, but it seems to me that he critiques Russia for not developing so as to be competitive with the West, particularly along technological lines. Perhaps they have done only in the military arena which appears to strengthen their ability to hold on to a way of life that might be thought of as the yin to our yang (or the reverse if you prefer).

[@ianshaver8954]

Kotkin is a legitimate historian, who is serious about primary sources. That said, we must question his claim that Russian power will definitely exist in the future. Yes, Russia has collapsed twice and come back twice, but that is no guarantee of future reconstitution. We need to also think about the possibility of a future Russia splintering into multiple, nuclear-armed states.

[@matthewkelly2399]

I'd listen to Stephen Kotkin talk about most things...it'd be interesting to hear him discuss art or philosophy someday.

[@bezdownunder5481]

The west did say no further east to Russia right.. did that have no meaning. Also under un why did Libya get smacked

[@josephsmith6777]

The Vietnam war loss was a self inflicted wound by how it was prosucuted and its political will crushed but it by far benefited the ussr

[@davidbanks4168]

Me see Kotkin, me click.

[@merlingeikie]

Great historical depth and easygoing, sociable transmission of that. He's read a book a day since his youth...... that's how it's done. There's no replacement for displacement.... 🇦🇺🕯️

[@richardcory5024]

Kotkin is spot on about the power and the weakness of anti-Westernism. It is creating an enormous tragedy in a number of countries. Will China go down the same self-destructive path that Putin has taken Russia and where the mullahs have taken Iran? Will India also try to take that road?

[@tb8865]

The single most anti-Western country is the United States. The ruling ideology here is founded on the vilification of Europe and Western Civilization as a whole.

[@williamgatheist1314]

Thank you again, Mr. Kotkin, On one of your observations. stated that Russia was trying to Rebuild from the shards of the USSR, whereas I take exception is Germany Japan and even South Korea did the rebuild without the massive natural resources. This tells me what Russia was facing to rebuild was substantially less than the 3 power-house economies, mentioned above.

[@MrHL5]

thanks

[@yp77738yp77739]

The irony of a guest speaker to a Catholic institution with books on Nietzsche and Marx in the background is not lost on me.

[@ericwillis777]

It is important to understand different ideas - or do you prefer book burning to exercise of intellect ?

[@yp77738yp77739]

@@ericwillis777 The irony is one of truth vs myth, Plato’s noble lie

[@ericwillis777]

@@yp77738yp77739 Neither truth, nor myth, nor Catholic.

[@P1000H]

1:28 but unfortunately that's not what happened contrary to what this gentleman wants to make out, the Russians were eager to belong and cooperate with the USA and the EU. In the early 1990s, Yeltsin authorized the entry of several banks, associations and American investors, a plan called "shock therapy" was created. Yeltsin ruled by decree and signed everything investors needed. The best companies were sold to these investors for ridiculous amounts. 60% of the Russian population fell into extreme poverty, due to the laws they advised. Resources and Key sectors for Russia fell into American hands. To see the size of the withdrawal that was made in Russia, for each barrel of oil the Russian government kept 0.25 cents. Meanwhile, Putin came in and ended the looting.

[@j.calvert3361]

Putin didn't end the looting, he coordinated it better. For himself and his cronies....

[@bearowen5480]

What happened in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union was the inevitable result of 75 years of brutal Communist tyranny over the Russian people, not the investment in the post-Soviet economy by Western corporate interests. The wonder is not that the evil and corrupt Soviet system of state socialism collapsed, but that it took so long to occur. Blaming the predominantly peaceful dislocations and hardships of Communism's collapse on the West is sadly preposterous. Such thinking led to the rise of the oligarchs and the consolidation of Putin's dictatorial stranglehold on the suffering Russian people.

[@P1000H]

@@bearowen5480 What I wrote in my commentary is not my emotional opinion or judgment based on information given by CNN. These are facts that can be easily verified. To understand what is happening in Ukraine, you have to go back a few decades. Do you think that the US is very concerned about the human rights of Ukrainians and is spending billions of Dollars because they have altruistic moral principles? I'm sorry to tell you but Santa Claus doesn't exist, it's the parents who offer gifts. This is POWER fighting for POWER morals only come in to convince people like you, so they can spend public money without risking social instability. I suggest starting with Mackinder's doctrine and understanding what is at stake.

[@slavajuri]

We've totally lost the 90's critiques of US & Western actions in the wake of the collapse of the USSR. They failed Russia until the ruble collapsed, then they proceeded to codify their failure by protecting the very speculators who helped oversee that devastation.

[@bezdownunder5481]

Funny Iraq war 2 Vietnam a fair few others don't get a mention. Minsk 2 agrees by un seemed to be pretty recent.

[@stavroskarageorgis4804]

Kotkin claiming that the USSR became a "technology desert" is quite the feat of creative fiction.

[@Namuchat]

(56:14) ... Yes, there is a gap. /=/ There is a gap in every thing - that is how the light comes in!

[@WorkingMan234]

Pretty mainstream, US-centric analysis. I'm not impressed.

[@slavajuri]

I respect his speaking ability and command of history, but Mr. Kotkin's disdain for his historical subjects spoils parts of this analysis. Framing the USSR's global ambitions against a willingness to participate in the international order as a "contradiction" is wholly inaccurate and ahistorical. With some respect reserved for the East Asian conquerors, all empires with global ambitions have attempted to partake in the present-day order surrounding them. The Romans, the Aztecs, the Abbasids, the British, the Spanish, the Americans...To do anything else would be like removing one's limbs before a wrestling match. His interest in detailing the USSR's lack of technological progress from 1917-1926 pales against the wholly ignored modernization successes of the 20's and early to mid-30's. The Soviet's industrial production - even thru WWII - skyrockets well into the 50's and 60's, and unlike the post-revolutionary technological stagnation of the 20's, it's a legacy we still live with today in the ubiquity of Soviet weapon systems globally. I share his admiration for the "West," but it clearly bleeds into his analysis too much on both sides, and leaves me wondering a bit too much on his sincerity towards the historical record.

[@randr302]

Love Stephen Kotkin!!

[@thelibrarylady6772]

Thanks to Russia for fighting UKRAINE NAZIS.

[@rmnair90]

Why can't questions be put without parenthetic digressions and wandering down side alleys, all of course with plenty of affected stammering? Note the difference between Dr Kimmage and Dr. Kotkin. Inerviewers must be made to listen to their recordings.

[@ricardo53100]

Kotin's presentation probably contains the most inciteful and substantive explanation of what drives the Putin regime and what we can expect in the future. Hopefully, Washington policy makers are taking notes.

[@arnostmarks2853]

The most pesimistic of all lectures of Kotkin I listened to

[@bearowen5480]

Dr. Kotkin has earned the right to his pessimism. He understands world history better than most "experts" in the field. When he speaks of the fifty five million deaths in WWII, you can feel his deep underlying sadness at such horrific suffering and loss of life. He's the world's leading authority on Stalin and the horrific perfidy he inflicted on the Russian masses. No wonder he is a pessimist about the future!

[@DonGonzalito]

How do I have KZbin not suggesting me any more videos featuring this evil elf?

[@cristianmicu]

38:00 the germans had Romania for both oil and grains on their side until august '44, having those resources alleviated not getting ukraine graines and minerals

[@uhoh007]

If strategic bombing won wars there would be no North Korea or Vietnam as we know them today, Kotkin never seems to mention.

[@gregs3301]

Thank you prof. Kotkin to list out Poland somewhere in the end. We're this medium size flat country in the middle of Europe who conquered and burned Moscow once in the history. Napoleon couldn't do it, Germans with Hitler failed too but we did it. Last but not least we only stopped 1920 Lenins bolsheviks march towards western Europe in rewards we got betrayed 1939 by France and Bratain. We bled for allias cause and got betrayed in Yalta so....the great West has some ethical homework to do.

[@karinfroller7403]

Poland is very happy to be in Nato and relies on "the west" in his defense. And rightly so. No one should even consider touching any Nato Member. I find it very strange that in a time where Russia is fighting a war of conquest since one year and is not backing down at all, somehow the West has to look at itself, do homework whatever. Maybe Putin and his minions should look in the mirror and ask themselves where all this "Russo phobia" suddenly comes from. Mine started on February 24, 2022. I know a little late, should have happened 2014. But now I got the message.

[@arktseytlin]

You guys grabbed a piece of Checko-Slovakia after Hitler attacked them. Maybe if that didnt happen there would not have been M-R pact

[@michaelm6045]

Half measures in helping Ukraine is as bad as not helping at all. Full support, victory and full isolation of Russia for several decades is the only way. Any alternative is catastrophic. For those who knows what Russia is today it is clear. Full defeat is the first absolutly necessary step.

[@corneliussulla9963]

I wonder if you would talk this way when YOUR country was about to become a nuclear battlefield. Abd geberally: Why are you starting trouble with Russia in the first place?(while playing the good guy) Its scary to think that people like you have a right to vote.

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

@@corneliussulla9963 No one started trouble with Russia except Russia. Make no mistake, they're the aggressor. Just because they have nukes doesn't mean they can do whatever they want.

[@corneliussulla9963]

@@Rjsjrjsjrjsj Noo, and the government in Kiew toppled itself. The RussoUkrainians fled for no reason the the Donbass and there they shelled themnselves for the past 8 years. Sorry dude, there is no point in talking to liars, so leave me alone, Pinocchio.

[@fictor659]

@@corneliussulla9963 Putin did start this war 8 years ago with his green men. So stop crying about 8th years shelling as it was shelling from bought sites and people died on bought sites and only because of Putin's sick imperialistic ambitions.

[@corneliussulla9963]

@@fictor659 Bullshit. The toppling of an ELECTED government in 2014 was done by western secret services. Everyone who ever was at a protest in his life, knows that this was not the work of common people. What happened afterwwards was basically an ethnic cleansing. And that Russia wouldnt let you take away its black sea harbour is only a logical consequence.

[@SeattlePioneer]

Kotkins always goes through his litany of agreements in which Russia acknowledges the right of states such as Ukraine to become allies with NATO or anyone who will have them. That's fine, but in other contexts he describes how Russia and Germany were down and out after WWI, but were bound to repudiate burdensome treaties imposed on them when they were weak. So what gives? Whatever the legal niceties, it is clear that Putin and Russia are very sensitive to exerting a measure of control over the avenues used repeatedly to invade Russia. That creates conflict between Russia and other powers, and such conflicts are, from time to time, settled by war.

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

Do you have a point?

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@Rjsjrjsjrjsj Why, yes. My point is that while in some contexts Kotikins gives extravagant recognition to agreements made by a state, in other contexts he excuses states when they ignore earlier agreements. And indeed, in the history of diplomacy, it seems far more common for agreements between states to be discarded when they become burdensome than to be burdened by continuing to abide by such agreements. I'm supposing that rather than not being able to understand a not very complicated post, you simply don't want to acknowledge anything which fails to support the grievances of Ukraine.

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

@@SeattlePioneer So, if I understand you correctly, you're arguing that Invading Ukraine was just fine because no one sticks to agreements? Because all you REALLY argued was that (no one sticks to them).

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@Rjsjrjsjrjsj

[@Rjsjrjsjrjsj]

@@SeattlePioneer That's not an answer. Are you arguing that it was justified for Russia to invade Ukraine? Simple question. Yes or no?

[@AlexSobwork]

Another "specialist in USSR" with politically driven sense of history. It would be good to see docs about GRAIN IMPORT in Ukraine Soviet Republic during the WWII by NAZI. The speech is full of such foundation less statements, that form wrong impression about the history.

[@eddielindaa]

Joe...u should ask Steven to be your close advisor....

[@maxnagel9321]

Professor…..😂

[@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com]

8:30 Kotkin (& the others always as well) forget that Russia lost wars not only to Japan, and then in WW1 to Germany, but to Finland independence 1917 & the White Army of the Government of Finland 1918, lost Estonia 1918 thanks to the finnish voluntary troops, and made finally peace with Finland in the then independent Estonia 1920. Tried to occupy Finland 1939-40 but didn't manage to do it, fought another war with Finland 1941-44 and almost lost the whole Carelia and Leningrad, and had to make peace again with Finland 1944. Russia had got Finland 1809 from Napoleon who gave that eastern part of ancient Sweden, the half of it, to rule as an autonomous buffer state, as the Grand Dutchy of Finland, to Alexander the 1st in Tilsit.

[@paulzx5034]

Hi from Russia. We loves you too. Sit quiet and we let you live.

[@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com]

@@paulzx5034 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnK3k3WOptx-rpY :D :D :D

[@paulzx5034]

@@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com So what? You subjected to war propaganda. When last time you heard anything positive about us? Our army - bunch of sore losers and war criminals, yeah...

[@ernstraedecker6174]

Yeah. I remember the film clip of Adolf Hitler visiting his big friend & brother in arms Mannerheim.

[@Blanka1100]

USSR was Htler's ally till 1941, Soviets invaded oland on 17th of september 1939 and committed Katyn massacre of Polish officers in Katyn forest in 1940 but Russians still consider themselves as "heroes and liberators"....

[@Epaminondas371]

Advanced simplicity.

[@oO-_-_-_-Oo]

Listen. What Leo wants, Leo Getz!

[@Notrusbot]

it is interesting how gentlemen in suits discuss regime change in another country, saying that these are democratic processes. at the same time, they do not even allow the thought that someone will be able to tell them that we have our own opinion. 4 times the USSR / Russia wanted to join NATO and they were refused, while for Ukraine and Georgia there is always an "open door policy" and after that they say that NATO is a defensive alliance and the Russians are offended by something?

[@j.calvert3361]

Any official documents, parliamentary resolutions, letters, which confirm that story?

[@Notrusbot]

@@j.calvert3361 Warsaw Pact

[@987654321mnbv]

@@j.calvert3361 These are well documented historical facts. For example, an official letter from the USSR to the UK, France and USA dated by March 31, 1954. Or a note to the alliance from the Soviet Foreign Minister Vishynsky dated by 1949. Or records from an official Stalin's meeting with a French ambassador in 1952. Or transcripts of Putin's meeting with Clinton in 2000.

[@Blanka1100]

Nobody in right mind trust Putin. He lies every time he moves his lips. This war is not about Nato. Nato is an excuse for Putin. It's about Putin's sick idea to annex Ukraine, it's about Putin's huge ego and sick legacy. Nato does not want its members to have any border problems or war in progres. Russia is always at war. Putn pays separatists in Donbas for the same reason. Because it works for him and keeps Ukraine out of Nato. Nato is at Russia's borders for over 20 years. Did Putin wake up 11 months ago? utin hates Nato because all he can do is to invade non Nato neighbors. Nato never invaded Russia. It's always Russia which has no respect for its smaller neighbors so they want to join Nato to be secured. All those former Warsaw pact countries turned their back on Russia for a reason. Russia should look in the mirror first.

[@Notrusbot]

@@Blanka1100 Do you remember how they deployed nuclear weapons in Cuba, what came of it? What would the United States say if Russia was building bases in Mexico. The demonization of Putin is generally ridiculous, what do you think they will say about the main enemy in the United States, that he is a good guy? If Ukraine had not been pushed by Maidans, stories about world support, loans for armaments, then it would have continued to live in the neighborhood as well. What is happening now is in fact a civil war.

[@theH0UNDSofD00M]

I really appreciate and enjoy listening to Stephen Kotkin but in this video, at 39:30 he said: "...Today, the nazi regime is very different..." I assume that by Nazis, he means the Russian regime, right? 😉 Surely he didn't meant the current German state or worst, the Ukrainian state/government.

[@craigrik2699]

Ukrainian power? Really? You mean US power? It seems Presidents Putin and Xi will be realising Lenin’s dream, albeit, with Moscow playing a junior role to its big brother China but still a major player in today’s world

[@ИннаРогозина-у1ю]

Kotkin is a very clever trumpeter of the Western 'rule of law', 'democratic values' and so forth. Is it possible that he could still be under the illusion of the perennity of the West? Maybe he's just cynical, knowing everything and just playing the fool?

[@VectorOfKnowledge]

Joe Pesci is one smart dude.

[@nazmul_khan_]

Stalin did approach France and Britain for an Anti-Nazi coalition, but they turned him down. Prof. Kotkin seems to overlook that entirely which is disappointing.

[@Blanka1100]

USSR itself was Hitler's ally till 1939 and USSR invaded Poland just 17 days after Hitler did.

[@nazmul_khan_]

@@Blanka1100 , yes, right after being turned down by France and Britain in the wake of Munich agreement, they saw it to be the best course of action.

[@987654321mnbv]

@@Blanka1100 Please, remind us who were Hitler's allies in partitioning of Czechoslovakia in 1938.

[@Blanka1100]

@@987654321mnbv allies? Go back to school because you know nothing but I advice you to skip matrix and full of fakes russian history books

[@bearowen5480]

@@987654321mnbv ....along with colluding with Nazi Germany to brutally subjugate the Poles!