The seventh episode of the Off The Page podcast is special, deviating slightly into a longer format, as we take a look at the crisis in Ukraine and the history of the conflict.
Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk is the featured guest, a professor of European history with expertise in Ukraine, Russia and the history of the Soviet Union at the University of Victoria.
Yekelchyk was born in Kyiv and came to Canada in 1995 to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Alberta.
He continues to keep in contact with friends and family who remain in Ukraine, and spoke about their spirit of resilience and modern Ukrainian identity.
B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 not just about those wonderful embroidered shirts and singing and dancing - which we also do well as everyone knows - but itB次元官网网址檚 also about democracy. ItB次元官网网址檚 about Ukrainians positioning themselves as the people who escaped from the oppressive Soviet empire and donB次元官网网址檛 want to go back in any way.B次元官网网址�
Growing up in Kyiv, the transition from living under Soviet rule to becoming an independent country was something Yekelchyk described as B次元官网网址渓iberating.B次元官网网址�
He recalled celebrations on the streets and Ukrainian freedom to participate in social organizations, political parties and being able to change governments freely.
Yekelchyk spoke about the threat not only to Ukraine but other former countries that were part of the Soviet Union, such as Moldova, Georgia and Latvia, the latter of which is a member of NATO. As one of the smallest countries in Europe, he explained they are fearful about PutinB次元官网网址檚 actions to grab territory or establish control, and are also watching how the West will defend its allies.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 afraid the Russian Federation is well on its way to becoming an ultimate evil for the 21st century.B次元官网网址�
With UkraineB次元官网网址檚 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy going to battle with Vladimir Putin, Yekelchyk said the countryB次元官网网址檚 relatively new president breathed new life and gave hope to its residents. He spoke about ZelenskyyB次元官网网址檚 background as a well-known actor and comedian, and how with little political experience is able to relate and give hope to citizens.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 very ordinary B次元官网网址� his charisma is similar to Charlie ChaplinB次元官网网址檚 character The Little Tramp. He was powerless, but he had big dreams. And he dreamt of happiness for all the people and thatB次元官网网址檚 the kind of appeal that Zelenskyy has. He came as an ordinary person from the street saying B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 just like you and I will do whatever it takes,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� he said and added Russia was waiting for him to become president, believing inexperience would work to their advantage.
B次元官网网址淭hey thought if he was inexperienced, comes from a Russian-speaking Jewish family it would be easy to take him out and he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get much support. But no, the Ukrainians of course rallied around him. And he also has proved to be a very, very good politician and a very excellent military leader.B次元官网网址�
As for how Yekelchyk sees the conflict ending, he noted while it is difficult to predict what might happen, Ukraine will not be defeated. He added no Russian army would be enough to police an occupied Ukraine; Russia might win some battles but it will not win a war. However, because of the nature of the Russian political regime and the lack of a voice for Russian society, itB次元官网网址檚 difficult to have a realistic projection of what is going to happen, he said.
B次元官网网址淢r. Putin is a dictator who projects an image of a macho, like the shirtless guy on a horse who is always right and never loses. But for his reputation to be perceived as having lost something would be a colossal blow. In fact, he could be overthrown right after that. So this makes it difficult for us, the Western commentators and for Ukrainians to see a meaningful end to this war.B次元官网网址�
To listen to the full episode, download Off The Page on , and everywhere podcasts are heard, or visit . New episodes of Off The Page drop every Wednesday.
To submit podcast topics or guest ideas, email offthepage@comoxvalleyrecord.com.
