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.
含羞草研究社満卟菅芯可绂It含羞草研究社檚 not just about those wonderful embroidered shirts and singing and dancing - which we also do well as everyone knows - but it含羞草研究社檚 also about democracy. It含羞草研究社檚 about Ukrainians positioning themselves as the people who escaped from the oppressive Soviet empire and don含羞草研究社檛 want to go back in any way.含羞草研究社�
Growing up in Kyiv, the transition from living under Soviet rule to becoming an independent country was something Yekelchyk described as 含羞草研究社渓iberating.含羞草研究社�
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 Putin含羞草研究社檚 actions to grab territory or establish control, and are also watching how the West will defend its allies.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 afraid the Russian Federation is well on its way to becoming an ultimate evil for the 21st century.含羞草研究社�
With Ukraine含羞草研究社檚 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy going to battle with Vladimir Putin, Yekelchyk said the country含羞草研究社檚 relatively new president breathed new life and gave hope to its residents. He spoke about Zelenskyy含羞草研究社檚 background as a well-known actor and comedian, and how with little political experience is able to relate and give hope to citizens.
含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 very ordinary 含羞草研究社� his charisma is similar to Charlie Chaplin含羞草研究社檚 character The Little Tramp. He was powerless, but he had big dreams. And he dreamt of happiness for all the people and that含羞草研究社檚 the kind of appeal that Zelenskyy has. He came as an ordinary person from the street saying 含羞草研究社業含羞草研究社檓 just like you and I will do whatever it takes,含羞草研究社� 含羞草研究社� he said and added Russia was waiting for him to become president, believing inexperience would work to their advantage.
含羞草研究社淭hey thought if he was inexperienced, comes from a Russian-speaking Jewish family it would be easy to take him out and he wouldn含羞草研究社檛 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.含羞草研究社�
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, it含羞草研究社檚 difficult to have a realistic projection of what is going to happen, he said.
含羞草研究社淢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.含羞草研究社�
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.
