title: Russia's Ukraine Obsession
abstract: The world was unprepared for the challenges triggered by Ukraine's efforts to affirm its sovereignty and build a more transparent, democratic state. The only way Ukraine could achieve this goal was by pivoting to the West. In response, Moscow has not only attempted to undermine the Ukrainian state; it has made antagonism to Ukraine its basis for consolidating Russian society. While Western leaders have been looking for ways to enable Vladimir Putin to voluntarily "de-escalate" the crisis, the Pu
journal: Journal of democracy