Historian on Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and the Russian Question | Serhii Plokhy and Lex Fridman

Summary

The discussion revolves around the 'Russian question' as articulated by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, focusing on his vision of uniting Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians into a single nation-state. This concept, rooted in opposition to communism and driven by Russian nationalism, highlights the tragedy of the 20th century: the division of Russians across different states. The video script transitions into the 'Ukrainian question', emphasizing Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and independence amidst Russian assertions of a shared identity. It raises concerns about the potential shift towards authoritarianism in Ukraine due to prolonged conflict, yet underscores the strong historical currents of pluralism and democracy that define Ukrainian society.

Takeaways

• 📝 The 'Russian question', first articulated by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in 1994, concerns the division of ethnic Russians and the loss of Russian statehood post-Soviet Union.
• 🇷🇺 Solzhenitsyn, half Ukrainian, identified as a Russian nationalist, opposing communism as detrimental to Russia and advocating for a unified nation state of Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians.
• 🔥 Post-Soviet collapse, Solzhenitsyn proposed Plan B, focusing on Russia's annexation of regions like Donbas, Crimea, and Southern Ukraine, now reflected in the Russian Constitution.
• 🇺🇦 The 'Ukrainian question' today shifts from establishing to maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty, amid claims by Russia that Ukrainians and Russians are the same people.
• 🤴 The ongoing war in Ukraine risks pushing the country towards authoritarianism, potentially influenced by far-right ideologies, though this goes against Ukraine's democratic and pluralistic history.
• 👊 Ukraine has evolved as a pluralistic state with embedded democratic elements over the last 30 years, making a shift to radical nationalism unlikely despite current challenges.
• 📈 Ukrainian nationalism, historically a 'minority faith', suggests a societal foundation resistant to the adoption of extreme nationalist ideologies.
• 🛡️ The war's duration increases the likelihood of significant political shifts in Ukraine, yet historical context and societal values may safeguard its democratic trajectory.
• 🚨 Solzhenitsyn's vision influences current tensions, embodying a historical and ideological backdrop to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with roots in broader questions of national identity and statehood.
• 📚 The discourse around the 'Russian question' and 'Ukrainian question' highlights complex interplays of history, nationalism, and the struggle for sovereignty in post-Soviet space.

Q & A

What is the 'Russian question' as described in the transcript?

The 'Russian question' refers to the division of ethnic Russians and the loss of statehood, resulting in Russians being spread across different states. It's seen as a major tragedy of the 20th century.

How did Solzhenitsyn envision restructuring Russia?

Solzhenitsyn's vision for restructuring Russia involved getting rid of the Baltics, Central Asia, and Caucasus, and creating a single nation-state for Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians, including those living in northern Kazakhstan.

What was Solzhenitsyn's Plan B after the Soviet Union's collapse?

Solzhenitsyn's Plan B, influenced by the events following the Soviet Union's collapse, involved Russia taking over Donbas, Crimea, and Southern Ukraine, areas now included in the Russian Constitution.

What is the 'Ukrainian question' as it stands today?

The 'Ukrainian question' is incomplete and needs to be finished here.