Russian National Identity and Foreign Policy

In recent years, Russia's foreign policy has become considerably more asserting, posing a challenge to the United States and its Western allies. In his presentation, Igor Zevelev, a fellow at the Kennan Institute and a former visiting fellow at CSIS, will explore what is driving this shift from the Russian side. He will outline the ways in which Russian foreign policy doctrine today stems primarily from domestic ideas about Russian identity and the reasons why the impact of such thinking has become such a driving force in the past four years.

[@barrylane1055]

Excellent! Thank You so much!!!

[@ernstviauxxinstitute]

Wonderfull lecture, Thank you soo much CSIS!

[@morganalangeh8910]

Why are some parts of the video skipped? Would be nice to hear everything he says.

[@csis]

Any skipping is due to technical issues with our live-stream. Apologies for the inconvenience.

[@kieranjones6273]

Center for Strategic & International Studies Hello. Would it be or is it possible to enjoy these seminars in podcast audio form?

[@karlisvasilevskis2926]

What a prominent scholar and a wonderful discussion, thank you very much for the thought provoking content. I would have liked to ask a question, that, given the nature of the Russian national identity and all its according representations in the forms of unique exceptionalism, elements of Messianic behavior, historic leadership, influence and territorial claims, how does a minor player having an immediate border with Russia would be advised to design its foreign policy imperatives to avoid the scenario ofUkraine, given the ethnic, cultural and historically shared roots with Russian Civilization? Thank you

[@kevinthomas4377]

There are no boundaries to the rules of engaging an adversary in the defense of what is right (Law)!.

[@justinbacon6058]

An excellent statement on Russian identity. I would have asked how we can as a country begin to revise russian outlooks on western influence. Also I am interested in knowing how dynamic these outlooks from a russian perspective really are. It would seem that there is to some degree a resolute fatalism in Russian culture outside of academic and political dialogue.

[@Love.life.ashigzoya]

To add a very scholastic and versatile coverage if Russian psyche..

[@vgorp3849]

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[@chewtoob6409]

the word Ukraine wasn't really mentioned in reference to a country until late ww1 which is less than 100 years. nevertheless, I think it's absolutely terrible that they were invaded right after voting to join nato.

[@mihailable6695]

Why does this surprise you? Over the centuries, Russia was attacked from all sides. As a result of these innumerable attacks and attempts to capture ..... Russia grew bigger and stronger. This means that Russia knows how to defend itself. The Russians already have a conditioned reflex and unerringly figure out which side will be the next attack. Your words and assurances. They are always paid a very high price (a huge number of human casualties) for the victory over the next ocupant. You will say: "The peace and security of nations have been wiped out." Do not even try to talk about the high standard of living and seduction. They are already set to the protection mode. Works old conditioned reflex worked. Danger next door .... urgent mobilization!

[@Shm00ly]

That doesn’t mean that a separate nation/principality centred on Kyiv has not existed longer than the Rus. Ukraine is the new name given to an deep-rooted civilisation.

[@seanabbas7053]

20:21

[@rogerhagger7967]

.for the best answer just watch Professor John Mearsheimer of the university of chicago!

[@cmavuso6068]

Excellent lecture indeed should be listened to by western countries children to understand the truth about Russia. Russia never colonised other nations but helped some African countries to fight for their freedom on the contrary other European countries, Britain and the USA had a share in colonising Africa and participating in the slave trade. Many unjust wars have been committed by the USA and it’s allies that include Britain. So Russia becomes a country that is reliable to deal with world peace because they are peaceful in nature and respect other countries boundaries. If judgement day comes today the sentence for USA and it’s allies will be tougher than the rest of the world because of their evil deeds across the globe.

[@orlandomontfort5101]

A truly bipolar view of Russia, I dare say schizophrenic! Russia never helped African countries, what it did was to force communist ideology which is a form of colonisation. Russia imperialism is perfectly displayed during to the USSR. Today Russia is an empire occupying many nations, this monstrous empire must be crushed and dismantled.

[@Love.life.ashigzoya]

Putin is a true statesman and nationalist who steers along a historical course of its great past .

[@Shm00ly]

Steers Russia straight into the bin. So enjoyable watching this violent imperialist and his dim witted followers FAIL.

[@orlandomontfort5101]

You are insane

[@suntemple3121]

🇷🇺🌟🇷🇺 THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION VLADIMIR PUTIN IS A GREAT AND BRILLIANT MAN, MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS HIM AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF RUSSIA. 🇷🇺🌟🇷🇺 🇷🇺🌟🇷🇺 RUSSIA IS GREAT**GLORY TO RUSSIA**GOD GIVE RUSSIA VICTORY. 🇷🇺🌟🇷🇺

[@orlandomontfort5101]

Pathetic loser!