Oleksa Drachewych
@odrachewych.bsky.social
Historian of 20th C international relations, USSR, Comintern, Russia's War in Ukraine; professor at Western University and King's University College. www.oleksadrachewych.com
Pinned
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
This is a perfect encapsulation of what I've called the management of the Trump administration by Putin: meduza.io/news/2025/12...
«Компромиссного варианта плана по Украине пока нет». Кремль — об итогах переговоров с США — Meduza
Помощник президента РФ Юрий Ушаков заявил, что Владимир Путин и представители США провели в Кремле «весьма полезную, конструктивную, содержательную» встречу, которая продолжалась почти пять часов, соо...
meduza.io
December 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM
This is a perfect encapsulation of what I've called the management of the Trump administration by Putin: meduza.io/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
This is an actual thing Putin said today:
"We are taking a surgical approach with Ukraine, very carefully."
4 images of Russia's "surgical approach":
kremlin.ru/events/presi...
"We are taking a surgical approach with Ukraine, very carefully."
4 images of Russia's "surgical approach":
kremlin.ru/events/presi...
December 3, 2025 at 3:43 AM
This is an actual thing Putin said today:
"We are taking a surgical approach with Ukraine, very carefully."
4 images of Russia's "surgical approach":
kremlin.ru/events/presi...
"We are taking a surgical approach with Ukraine, very carefully."
4 images of Russia's "surgical approach":
kremlin.ru/events/presi...
Who could have imagined! abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Kremlin calls talks with Witkoff 'useful' but says no compromise on Ukraine found
The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff ended early Wednesday after about five hours.
abcnews.go.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Who could have imagined! abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
I've not followed Putin's table diplomacy since 2022, this may mean nothing, but it is interesting that the table for the Witkoff-Putin meetings is rather "normal." Perhaps something that reflects the preferred relationship Putin wishes to have with the US?
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I've not followed Putin's table diplomacy since 2022, this may mean nothing, but it is interesting that the table for the Witkoff-Putin meetings is rather "normal." Perhaps something that reflects the preferred relationship Putin wishes to have with the US?
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
⚡️Putin claims Russian capture of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk as Kyiv warns of Kremlin propaganda blitz amid peace talks.
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
Putin claims Russian capture of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk as Kyiv warns of Kremlin propaganda blitz amid peace talks
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
kyivindependent.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:25 AM
⚡️Putin claims Russian capture of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk as Kyiv warns of Kremlin propaganda blitz amid peace talks.
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
My interview this morning on @npr.org discussing Russia's aims in the peace process and why it would be a surprise to see them agree to peace: www.npr.org/2025/12/01/n...
Is Russia interested in lasting peace between it and Ukraine? A historian weighs in
NPR's A Martinez speaks with historian Oleksa Drachewych about the Kremlin's position on a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
www.npr.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:16 AM
My interview this morning on @npr.org discussing Russia's aims in the peace process and why it would be a surprise to see them agree to peace: www.npr.org/2025/12/01/n...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
History professor Oleksa Drachewych spoke with NPR’s Morning Edition about what lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine could look like, offering timely context and historical insight. Listen to the full conversation: www.npr.org/2025/12/01/n...
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
History professor Oleksa Drachewych spoke with NPR’s Morning Edition about what lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine could look like, offering timely context and historical insight. Listen to the full conversation: www.npr.org/2025/12/01/n...
Thank you to @npr.org and @amartinezla.bsky.social for having me on NPR Morning Edition to speak on Russia's aims in the peace process and the unlikelihood that there may be a lasting agreement.
December 1, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thank you to @npr.org and @amartinezla.bsky.social for having me on NPR Morning Edition to speak on Russia's aims in the peace process and the unlikelihood that there may be a lasting agreement.
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
Out in early 2026!
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
November 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Out in early 2026!
Out in early 2026!
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
November 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Out in early 2026!
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
Explicitly Russifying occupied territories. While this whole "peace process" is taking plan, Russia explicitly confirms genocide: www.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/onl...
Указ Президента РФ от 25.11.2025 N 858 "О Стратегии государственной национальной политики Российской Федерации на период до 2036 года" - КонсультантПлюс
www.consultant.ru
November 30, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Explicitly Russifying occupied territories. While this whole "peace process" is taking plan, Russia explicitly confirms genocide: www.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/onl...
Explicitly Russifying occupied territories. While this whole "peace process" is taking plan, Russia explicitly confirms genocide: www.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/onl...
Указ Президента РФ от 25.11.2025 N 858 "О Стратегии государственной национальной политики Российской Федерации на период до 2036 года" - КонсультантПлюс
www.consultant.ru
November 30, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Explicitly Russifying occupied territories. While this whole "peace process" is taking plan, Russia explicitly confirms genocide: www.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/onl...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
I am one of the individuals whose comments are featured in this new piece at Kyiv Independent regarding Russia's strategic aims in its engagement with the US-led peace push: kyivindependent.com/russias-coy-...
Russia's coy game: Why Kremlin won't commit to Trump's peace push
As U.S. President Donald Trump accelerates his push for a settlement in Moscow's war against Ukraine, analysts say Russia's ambiguous stance is clouding the process.
Even though the original peace pl...
kyivindependent.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I am one of the individuals whose comments are featured in this new piece at Kyiv Independent regarding Russia's strategic aims in its engagement with the US-led peace push: kyivindependent.com/russias-coy-...
I am one of the individuals whose comments are featured in this new piece at Kyiv Independent regarding Russia's strategic aims in its engagement with the US-led peace push: kyivindependent.com/russias-coy-...
Russia's coy game: Why Kremlin won't commit to Trump's peace push
As U.S. President Donald Trump accelerates his push for a settlement in Moscow's war against Ukraine, analysts say Russia's ambiguous stance is clouding the process.
Even though the original peace pl...
kyivindependent.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I am one of the individuals whose comments are featured in this new piece at Kyiv Independent regarding Russia's strategic aims in its engagement with the US-led peace push: kyivindependent.com/russias-coy-...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
My latest in @ca.theconversation.com outlining what we know of the latest chapter in the US-led peace process to end Russia's War in Ukraine, where we stand, and what's likely to follow (Full disclosure, this was written before the Witkoff phone leak): theconversation.com/peace-in-ukr...
Peace in Ukraine? Believe it when you see it, especially if Russian demands are prioritized
Expectations for peace between Russia and Ukraine should be tempered until there’s a presidential summit between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin and until their signatures are on a treaty.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
My latest in @ca.theconversation.com outlining what we know of the latest chapter in the US-led peace process to end Russia's War in Ukraine, where we stand, and what's likely to follow (Full disclosure, this was written before the Witkoff phone leak): theconversation.com/peace-in-ukr...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
Restarting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under both Russian and Ukrainian control as part of any peace deal would be practically impossible in the plant’s current condition, several experts told the Kyiv Independent.
Splitting Europe's largest nuclear plant between Russia, Ukraine in peace deal won't work, experts say
Restarting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under both Russian and Ukrainian control as part of any peace deal would be practically impossible in the plant’s current condition, several experts tol...
kyivindependent.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Restarting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under both Russian and Ukrainian control as part of any peace deal would be practically impossible in the plant’s current condition, several experts told the Kyiv Independent.
My latest in @ca.theconversation.com outlining what we know of the latest chapter in the US-led peace process to end Russia's War in Ukraine, where we stand, and what's likely to follow (Full disclosure, this was written before the Witkoff phone leak): theconversation.com/peace-in-ukr...
Peace in Ukraine? Believe it when you see it, especially if Russian demands are prioritized
Expectations for peace between Russia and Ukraine should be tempered until there’s a presidential summit between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin and until their signatures are on a treaty.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
My latest in @ca.theconversation.com outlining what we know of the latest chapter in the US-led peace process to end Russia's War in Ukraine, where we stand, and what's likely to follow (Full disclosure, this was written before the Witkoff phone leak): theconversation.com/peace-in-ukr...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
"The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senior foreign-policy adviser."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 AM
"The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senior foreign-policy adviser."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
More seems to suggest that Witkoff was pushing the peace process more than we realized, dating back over a month: kyivindependent.com/witkoff-says...
'Donetsk and maybe a land swap' —Witkoff promised Russian aides he could sway Trump, pressure Ukraine into peace deal in secret phone recording
"The president will give me a lot of space and discretion to get to the deal," U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov in a recorded phone call obtained by Bloomberg.
kyivindependent.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:51 PM
More seems to suggest that Witkoff was pushing the peace process more than we realized, dating back over a month: kyivindependent.com/witkoff-says...
My comments can be heard here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
November 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
My comments can be heard here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
❗️Explosions reported in Kharkiv. Russia has just struck the city with aerial bombs!
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
❗️Explosions reported in Kharkiv. Russia has just struck the city with aerial bombs!
Thanks again to @browncbc.bsky.social for having me on CBC London Morning to discuss the latest on the peace negotiations to end Russia's War in Ukraine. Always a pleasure to be on.
November 25, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Thanks again to @browncbc.bsky.social for having me on CBC London Morning to discuss the latest on the peace negotiations to end Russia's War in Ukraine. Always a pleasure to be on.
And as it looks like momentum moves away from the Russian friendly peace plan, Russia continues to terrorize Ukrainians: abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Kyiv targeted in large Russian missile attack: Mayor
"The enemy attack on Kyiv is ongoing," Kyiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in a post to Telegram early Tuesday local time.
abcnews.go.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 AM
And as it looks like momentum moves away from the Russian friendly peace plan, Russia continues to terrorize Ukrainians: abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
One thing that is not getting enough attention is that Trump has normalized the idea of the United States supporting the transfer of territory and millions of people from a democracy to a dictatorship.
The ending of freedom for millions is now the official US position.
The ending of freedom for millions is now the official US position.
November 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
One thing that is not getting enough attention is that Trump has normalized the idea of the United States supporting the transfer of territory and millions of people from a democracy to a dictatorship.
The ending of freedom for millions is now the official US position.
The ending of freedom for millions is now the official US position.
Reposted by Oleksa Drachewych
One addendum - without justice, lasting peace is unlikely in Russia's War in Ukraine. Even if somehow this is agreed to (and I seriously doubt that), it won't resolve matters. I expand here: theconversation.com/why-justice-...
Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations
Although a ceasefire and negotiations may be a good first step, any chance at lasting peace in Russia’s war in Ukraine requires consideration of Russian war crimes.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:28 AM
One addendum - without justice, lasting peace is unlikely in Russia's War in Ukraine. Even if somehow this is agreed to (and I seriously doubt that), it won't resolve matters. I expand here: theconversation.com/why-justice-...