Ukraine and Russia: A Fraternal Rivalry [Paperback]

Anatol Lieven (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1878379879 | ISBN-13: 978-1878379870 | Publication Date: May 1999

Journalist Anatol Lieven here explores the complex ethnic and political relationship of Ukraine and Russia. Based on extensive interviews, Lieven provides a fascinating portrait of the diversity that is contemporary Ukraine and of its efforts to forge a national identity after three centuries of Russian rule.

Lieven’s journeys take him into ethnic Russian enclaves in Crimea and eastern Ukraine and to the western bastions of Ukrainian nationalism. But they also reveal an intermingling (and intermarriage) of both ethnic groups throughout much of the country.

With trenchant observations and an eye for the telling detail, Lieven examines the policy implications of Eastern Europe’s new political geography. Will ethnic coexistence endure in the face of economic hardship and the divisive issues left over from the Soviet era? Is it wise for the West to force the issue of Ukraine’s membership in Western institutions—NATO first and foremost among them?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Following his career as a Moscow-based correspondent for The Times of London, Anatol Lieven was a fellow at the United States Institute of Peace in 1996. He was also a correspondent in Central Europe for the Financial Times, and is now editor of Strategic Comments and expert on post-Soviet affairs at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Lieven is the author of Chechnya: Tombstone of Russian Power and the prize-winning The Baltic Revolution.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: United States Institute of Peace (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878379879
• ISBN-13: 978-1878379870
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,672,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Laissez-Faire Approach to Problem Solving, March 9, 2006

By 

S. Stefaniuk (Parma, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ukraine and Russia: A Fraternal Rivalry (Paperback)

Well written and quite thoughtful on the issue regarding Ukraine's relationship to Russia. Although I disagree with the conclusion of the book, I found the perspective the author tried to present to be generally even-handed. In the conclusion, the author appears to express Russian sentiments regarding Ukraine and its cultural development for the future and also borders on "utopian" when he suggests that "there is no imminent threat of Russian aggression".

Here are some obvious examples of Russian aggression.

1. The "Gas Crisis/War" in Ukraine is primarily the fault of Russia which is now interested in punishing Ukraine for electing a Western-minded, EU-seeking reformer in Yushchenko. Anyone who had closely followed this crisis could see for themselves that Russia is interested in keeping Ukraine in its orbit of influence. Rewards for those satisfying Russian interests and punishments for those who defy Russian interests. All one needs to do is compare the prices for gas between Ukraine and Belarus. One need not look too closely to witness Russian aggression and displeasure.

2. Russia's approach to Yulia Tymoshenko. First she's a wanted criminal, then the case is closed as she becomes friendlier to Moscow, and now it looks like they have decided to open the case once more after the Gas Crisis (which apparently has not yet come to an end). http://kommersant.com/page.asp?id=638907

3. The recent disputes regarding the lighthouses on the Crimean coast and the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (Russia suggesting an indefinite stay, Ukraine suggesting the Fleet should leave ASAP, as it poses security concerns, conflict with the Ukrainian constitution, etc).

4. Russia's insistence that the Russian language be given the status of 2nd Official Language, only interested in exerting greater influence in Ukraine affairs. This is done in order to enhance the Russian presence in Ukraine and eventually attempting to claim Crimea again as a territory belonging to Russia or simply using it as leverage in future disputes. Also, to give Russian the status of 2nd Official Language makes the process of nation-building in Ukraine somewhat more difficult and serves to simply disconnect Russian-speaking Ukrainians from Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians, further erode Ukrainian national identity as Russia has consistently always done in the past, and reconnect Ukraine (or at least portions of South-East Ukraine) to Russia through its Russian-speaking people - exerting greater influence in Ukraine's internal affairs.

5. And here is a very telling article on Ukraine in the mind of Russians. http://kommersant.com/page.asp?id=643367

Though one should certainly not fear Russia, one should also not underestimate her in the political sphere of influence. A laissez-faire approach may create greater cooperation and understanding between Ukrainians and Russians in time, but it will do so on Russia's terms and will gradually erode the freedom, sovereignty, language, and future economic prosperity of Ukraine.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Short Survey, July 12, 2001

By 

David Lublin "dlublin" (Chevy Chase, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ukraine and Russia: A Fraternal Rivalry (Paperback)

This book gives a great overview of Ukraine's history and Ukrainian-Russian relations. It's central argument is that relations are likely to remain peaceful between these two great Slavic states unless Ukraine's economy does much worse than Russia's or Ukrainian nationalism (concentrated among a decided minority of Ukrainians in Galicia in western Ukraine) grows markedly. Lieven argues that the West should not encourage the nationalists as stronger old-style Ukrainian nationalism would be one of the few things to harm the otherwise extremely close and good relations between Ukrainians and Russians throughout much of the rest of Ukraine. Well-written and a lot packed into this thoughtful good work that remains relavant in 2001.

5.0 out of 5 stars Generally good analysis, May 27, 2008

By 

R. L. Huff "An old reader" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ukraine and Russia: A Fraternal Rivalry (Paperback)

The author is known for his prior excellent work on the Baltic States and Chechnya. In this work, turning his keen analytical skills on post-Soviet Ukraine, Lieven has done another thorough study. His conclusions will doubtless go unappreciated by "Sinn Fein"-type Western Ukrainians, with their ever-present Russophobia; or by NATO expansionists who cling to the long-coveted dream of using Ukraine to contain Russia. But Lieven's prognosis, which envisions an Irish-British type of resolution for Russia and Ukraine, is doubtless the option best suited for two closely related - and in many ways inseparable - nations.