Sebastian Chatov on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with lawyer and entrepreneur, Sebastian Chatov, about Russian history and the future of Ukraine.

Sebastian grew up in Bulgaria and Soviet Russia, and has lived in Johannesburg since the mid-1990s.

We reflect on the fraught relationship between Ukraine and Russia since the end of the Cold War, and Russia's desire to restore its 'Great Power' status in the region.

We explore Vladimir Putin's rise to power and the development of his worldview (a mixture of KGB paranoia and Gopnik culture). Did Putin miscalculate by invading Ukraine, I ask?

I also question Sebastian about whether the Eastern expansion of NATO played a role in provoking Russian aggression. 

Sebastian notes that Russia has an obligation to respect the territorial integrity of its neighbours, and that countries within Russia's historic "sphere of influence" have a sovereign right to join NATO if they so wish. 

If anything, Putin's invasion of Ukraine proves that a defensive alliance is necessary as a bulwark against Russia, he argues.

We conclude the discussion by exploring whether a diplomatic solution to the conflict is possible.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:47) Sebastian Chatov on growing up in the Soviet Union

(04:50) Sebastian Chatov on Ukraine and Russia since the end of the Soviet Union 

(13:46) Sebastian Chatov on Vladimir Putin

(20:03) Sebastian Chatov on the geopolitics of the war in Ukraine

(27:30) Sebastian Chatov on the clash of civilisations

(33:22) Sebastian Chatov on Russian propaganda

(39:14) Sebastian Chatov on Putin's miscalculations

(44:53) Sebastian Chatov on diplomatic solutions to the war

(58:27) Conclusion