Manchester University Press
2 Divided Ukraine
Abstract
This chapter explores the ultra-nationalist legacy with which post-1991 Ukrainian nation-building became conflated, setting its face against its real diversity. It then turns to the capitalist oligarchy that appropriated post-communist Ukraine's wealth by privatising old Soviet centres of power. The privatisation of the Ukrainian economy, like those of other post-Soviet republics, entailed the formation of an oligarchy of billionaires and multimillionaires dividing the country's wealth among themselves. The chapter further looks at how Ukraine is situated in the economic balance between the liberal West and the Eurasian/Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) contender bloc. An enduring orientation of Ukraine towards the BRICS and the Eurasian Union was a distinct possibility, on top of its heavy-industrial contribution to the former Soviet economy in exchange for gas. Finally, the chapter identifies the anti-Russian oligarchs who sought to align Ukraine with the European Union (EU) and NATO.
Abstract
This chapter explores the ultra-nationalist legacy with which post-1991 Ukrainian nation-building became conflated, setting its face against its real diversity. It then turns to the capitalist oligarchy that appropriated post-communist Ukraine's wealth by privatising old Soviet centres of power. The privatisation of the Ukrainian economy, like those of other post-Soviet republics, entailed the formation of an oligarchy of billionaires and multimillionaires dividing the country's wealth among themselves. The chapter further looks at how Ukraine is situated in the economic balance between the liberal West and the Eurasian/Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) contender bloc. An enduring orientation of Ukraine towards the BRICS and the Eurasian Union was a distinct possibility, on top of its heavy-industrial contribution to the former Soviet economy in exchange for gas. Finally, the chapter identifies the anti-Russian oligarchs who sought to align Ukraine with the European Union (EU) and NATO.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The global gamble of a new Cold War 8
- 2 Divided Ukraine 38
- 3 From the Maidan revolt to regime change 69
- 4 The civil war and the MH17 disaster 99
- 5 Aftermath 134
- Bibliography 169
- Index 192
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The global gamble of a new Cold War 8
- 2 Divided Ukraine 38
- 3 From the Maidan revolt to regime change 69
- 4 The civil war and the MH17 disaster 99
- 5 Aftermath 134
- Bibliography 169
- Index 192
