Analysis of the causes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the perspective of the constructivist theory of international relations

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to answer two essential questions to understand the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine: Why is President Putin waging a war, which is clearly not only unjust, but also irrational, with no greater benefit to anyone, nor even for him? And why hasn't the Russian people reacted as expected to the invasion of a brother nation, with which it has maintained close historical and cultural ties? The answer to these questions is raised from the perspective of the Theory of International Relations, in particular from the Constructivist Theory, which emphasizes the analysis of the construction of the national identity of the States and the interests that derive from such identity. In this context, the work seeks to define the essential features and main interests of Russian identity, from the point of view of its historical construction, from its origins to the present. For this, the most important episodes of Russian history are explored, in its interaction with Ukraine, as well as with the rest of Europe and the developed West. An special reference is made to the Tsarist period of Russia, as well as to the Stalinist and post-Soviet era.