title: Russian Nationalism under Putin's Church-State: Justifying Acts of Aggression Against Ukraine
abstract: This paper aims to analyze President Putin's nationalistic rhetoric and its role in legitimizing Russia's international aggression, particularly in the context of the "Russian World" narrative related to Ukraine. Drawing on data from the Levada Center, Kasianenko (2021), Goudimiak (2014), and primary sources of Putin's speeches, this study analyzes his discourse before and after aggressive actions, revealing themes such as "helping Ukrainian/brother nation" and "projecting blame." The intensifie