Serhii Plokhy: the history and future of the Ukrainian war

By Radio NZ | Posted:

Radio NZ Interview

Listen here: Serhii Plokhy: the history and future of the Ukrainian war | RNZ

Historians usually write about the past, with the benefit of knowing how things turned out, but Harvard academic and best-selling author Serhii Plokhy was so shaken by the Russian invasion of his homeland last year he felt compelled to write about it immediately.

The result is his new book The Russo-Ukrainian War which traces the historical origins and evolution of the invasion and contemplates the wider consequences for the present and futures of both countries.

He argues that Ukraine’s defiance of Russia, and the West’s support, presents a profound challenge to Putin’s ambitions.

Plokhy’s other books include Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy, Nuclear Folly, The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine and The Last Empire.