Political scientists Maria Popova and Oxana Shevel challenge the view that NATO expansion is to blame, instead identifying deeper political transformations as the root cause. They argue that Russia’s slide into authoritarianism led its government to perceive Ukraine’s democratic, pro-European trajectory as a direct threat. The talk examines Russia’s refusal to accept Ukrainian sovereignty and its reliance on geopolitical tensions with the West to justify its actions. Their analysis provides critical insights into the true causes of Russia’s aggression.

Maria Popova is a professor of political science at McGill University. Oxana Shevel is a professor of political science at Tufts University.

Sponsored by the department of sociology. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.