Tearing up the rule book: Russia’s War on Ukraine and its Consequences

Russia’s war on Ukraine has brought devastation to Ukraine but it has triggered a turn to an ever more barbaric and primitive regime in Russia as well. Putin has torn up the rule book at home and in world politics. Finland and Sweden have thrown aside longstanding commitments to military non-alignment by joining NATO, while the support NATO countries are providing to Ukraine goes to far greater lengths than anything previous. European energy networks and supply chains have been transformed, while divisions in the world community are being defined by stances towards Russia and Ukraine and, more recently, Israel and Palestine. Over 6 million Ukrainians have sought refuge in different parts of Europe. At the same time, populism and the post-truth information society have gone into overdrive, as histories are rewritten and facts subverted to lend support to different sides. 

This seminar is open to everyone interested in Russia’s war in Ukraine and its implications in Europe. It is free of charge. The seminar will be held onsite at the Joensuu campus of the University of Eastern Finland. Participation requires registration.

This seminar is organised by the VERA Centre for Russian and Border Studies, and the Borders, Mobilities, and Cultural Encounters (BOMOCULT) Research Community of the University of Eastern Finland. 

Call for papers open until 7 May 

We invite members and friends of the VERA community to submit proposals for a short ten-minute presentation on any aspect of Russia’s War in Ukraine or other topics affected by Russia’s aggression. Proposals should consist of the title, the name and position (including e.g. project or doctoral thesis title for project or PhD researchers) of the researcher(s), and an abstract of no more than 200 words. If possible, please indicate which of the three panel themes you would prefer to be included under. 

Proposals should be sent to Joni Virkkunen by email in the address joni.virkkunen@uef.fi no later than 7 May 2024.

Programme

10.30-12.30 Panel One: How the war is being fought in Ukraine
Keynote 1: Bettina Renz, University of Nottingham and Finnish National Defence University: 
Changing Russian and Ukrainian military capabilities over the course of the war.
Short papers

12.30-13.15 Lunch (self-funded)

13.15-15.00 Panel Two: How the war is being fought through history and culture
Keynote 2: Simo Mikkonen, University of Eastern Finland:
History and memory in the service of Putin’s domestic and foreign politics.
Short papers

15.00-15.15 Coffee

15.15-17.00: Panel Three: How the war is affecting Finland and Europe
Keynote 3: Roy Allison, University of Oxford: 
The war, European security order and options for Ukraine.
Short papers

For further information, please contact Joni Virkkunen, email joni.virkkunen@uef.fi.

You are also welcome to participate in (De)Colonizations in Global Borderlands research seminar that will be organized at the Joensuu campus of the University of Eastern Finland on 15 May 2024. Please, see for more details in the address https://www.uef.fi/en/event/decolonizations-in-global-borderlands-research-seminar.