Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution to host special event with two experts on Ukraine-Russia relations

A special event being hosted on Tuesday 21 February from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm by the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution will see two leading experts on the subject of Ukraine-Russian relations, Professor Paul D’Anieri, Vice-Chancellor, University of California, author of Ukraine and Russia, and Rajan Menon, author of Conflict in Ukraine share and discuss thoughts on the deepening crisis in the region.

Both speakers will take audience questions via Zoom, and from live audience members at Queen Square, at the end of their talk.

Nearly a year on from the invasion of the Ukraine, Professors Paul D’Anieri and Rajan Menon will join the BRLSI live from California and New York once more to discuss in two sections what has happened over the past year, and what the future may hold for the Ukraine, Europe and the World at large.

Most observers believed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would result in Ukraine’s rapid defeat. In the event, not only has Ukraine mounted a fierce, unflagging resistance, but since the end of August has evicted the Russian army from about 50,000 square kilometres of territory - about half of what Russia had conquered since it invaded on 24 February 2022. So how do we account for Ukraine’s unexpected military success and the myriad failures of what was thought to be a mighty Russian army, one that had been modernised extensively from 2009?  

The talk will also consider the challenges still lie ahead for Ukraine and for the countries - in the main, the United States and its NATO allies that support its resistance, both during the war and after it, how might the war end and when, and what  the prospects are for a negotiated peace. In discussing these subjects, Professor Rajan Menon will draw on two visits he made to Ukraine since the war began: one in late August, the other in November-December.

As we try to collectively imagine what any peace ensuing from the Ukraine-Russia Crisis might look like, and as the geopolitical consequences grow ever more evident, informing ourselves as fully as possible seems the most positive thing we can do.

The Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution looks forward to hosting this important event, and encourages audience participants to come with plenty of questions for the two leading experts.

The lecture forms part of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution’s wider programme of political talks and cultural events. For further lectures and events, visit www.brlsi.org.