UG event series - The war in Ukraine: Why did it start? How will it end?

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. This came eight years after Russia had annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. This session examines the policies of the Putin leadership toward Ukraine. What were the reasons for the invasion? Was the Russian leadership acting rationally and strategically? Or was it driven by emotion and identity?  Over two years into the resulting conflict, what is the war’s likely trajectory? Is Russia still steering to its original war aims (to overthrow the Zelensky regime and demilitarize Ukraine)? Can either side achieve victory? Is a negotiated settlement possible?

Mark Webber is Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. Formerly the Head of the Department of Politics, History and International Relations at Loughborough University, he was also the Head of the School of Government and Society at Birmingham from 2011 – July 2019. He has been a BISA Trustee since 2014 and BISA Chair, 2019 – 2020.

Mark is a NATO specialist and a one-time scholar of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Recent work in these areas has been published in the journals International Affairs, European Journal of International Security, Review of International Studies, European Security, West European Politics, and Journal of European Integration. Mark teaches a Masters module on global politics and has been involved for ten years in organising student delegations attending the annual International Model NATO in Washington DC.  

This event is free and open to all as part of our 2024 undergraduate event series. We are also running a special offer of 50% off BISA membership for undergraduates until 30 June 2024. Find out more in the series announcement or at any of the events.

Registration will close two hours before the event begins.