Russia-US expert available to discuss escalating Ukraine crisis

LAWRENCE — With numerous indications that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine, the world is watching how this volatile situation will play out.

Valery Dzutsati, a visiting assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas, is available to discuss this significant event with media. He is a native of Russia and an expert in politics and conflict of Eurasia and Eastern Europe.

“From a historical perspective, the Russia-Ukraine crisis is the continuation of the evolution of the Russian imperial space. Empires usually do not fall apart all at once but go through stages of disintegration and integration,” Dzutsati said.

Given the size of Ukraine and its cultural proximity to Russia, the importance of this crisis is high because it is likely to have repercussions for Russia, other post-Soviet countries, Europe and beyond, he said. These repercussions include economic turmoil. But an overarching outcome, Dzutsati said, is a test of the stability of the existing world order. If a global superpower is allowed to attack a neighboring country and get away with it, then others might do this to their neighbors.

“The war seems to be imminent at this time,” Dzutsati said.

“The only question is how large its scale will be. Under a minimalist scenario, Russia will capture the two eastern regions of Ukraine and officially annex them. Under a maximalist scenario, Russia will strive to capture the entire country. The most likely scenario is something in between.”

Raised in North Ossetia (in the southwest of European Russia), Dzutsati earned his doctorate in political science from Arizona State University. His past research on this topic includes “Geographies of hybrid war: rebellion and foreign intervention in Ukraine,” “Secessionist conflict as diversion from inequality: The missing link between grievance and repression” and “Russia’s Syria War: A Strategic Trap?” (co-written with Emil Souleimanov).

To schedule an interview with Dzutsati, please contact KU News Service public affairs officer Jon Niccum at 785-864-7633 or jniccum@ku.edu.