WSU, UI instructors discuss Putin’s motivations, what comes next
As the world watches the Russian attacks against Ukraine that began this week, professors at Washington State University and the University of Idaho gave presentations Wednesday putting the conflict into context and explaining Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivations.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine should not come as a surprise to anyone who has followed Putin’s career, Washington State University Political Science Professor Tom Preston said during a presentation for the WSU Foley Institute.
Preston said Putin is a strong nationalist who believes bringing Ukraine into Russian control would cement his legacy as a great Russian leader. Additionally, Putin believes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s potential expansion to include Eastern European countries like Ukraine is an existential threat to Russia’s security and influence.