From 'Great Expectations' to 'Cold War Redux'? :Russia and the West - En Route to the Ukraine War

Rudra Sil

July 9 2025, 17:30-19:00

SIIR Conference Room, 1F, Building #13, Sophia University

In person only

The prevailing narrative in the West and Japan about the origins of the Russia-Ukraine war views it as the result of an aggressive, imperialistic policy initiated by Putin, who seeks to rebuild the USSR. Rejecting this narrative, Professor Rudra Sil offers a sober look back at the longer-term evolution of Russia's relations with the West since the break-up of the USSR. He considers the problems created by "great expectations" about Russia's relations with the West in a post-Cold War world.

The talk then highlights key events in the past two decades that produced deep disappointment and distrust on all sides. This prevented a more pragmatic approach that might have helped head off a downward spiral in Russia's relations in the West. None of this suggests that the invasion of Ukraine was justified or the best option for Russia. But it does suggest that the path leading to the war was a convoluted one, with many missteps as well as missed 'exit ramps.'  Looking ahead, this perspective implies that a negotiated end to the war is possible and desirable - and not a product of some Trump-Putin "bromance" or a case of appeasement reminiscent of the lead-up to World War II. 

This presentation draws upon Professor Sil's book (in progress), The Fate of a Former Superpower: Russia's Troubled Search for Relevance in a Post-Cold War World.

Rudra Sil is Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. His interests encompass Russian studies, comparative labor politics, and the philosophy of social science. He has previously authored, coauthored, or coedited eight books, including Managing ‘Modernity’ (2002), World Order After Leninism (2006), Beyond Paradigms (2010), and Advancing Comparative Area Studies (2025). 

This event is jointly hosted by Sophia Institute of International Relations (SIIR) and the Institute of Comparative Culture (ICC).

Organizer: Anno Tadashi (Professor of Political Science, Sophia University).