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�鶹Ƶ��University professor , who specializes in Russian politics, says that it is hard to see Russian President Vladimir Putin achieving any of his goals in the current situation along the Russia/Ukraine border.

“It’s hard to imagine Vladimir Putin achieving his political objective with respect to Ukraine – ‘returning’ Ukraine to the Russian sphere of influence – through political means. But it’s equally hard to see him achieving this objective through military means. Putin, however, may not agree, which is why the world is so on edge right now,” said Brian Taylor, the author of “,” which examines the impact of Putin dominating Russian politics for more than two decades.

In his book, Taylor explains that Putinism, unlike Marxism-Leninism which was an explicit ideology, is a mentality, or code, consisting of not just ideas (such as great-power statism, anti-Westernism and anti-Americanism, and conservatism or anti-liberalism) but also habits (such as control, order, unity or anti-pluralism, loyalty, and hypermasculinity) and even emotions (including desiring respect but feeling humiliated by the West, resentment, and vulnerability or fear).

Previously, Taylor said that Putin is focused on his historical legacy.

“The prospect of Russia ‘losing Ukraine’ is one of his worst nightmares. The Russian military buildup near Ukraine is serious and worrying. At the same time, there are major economic and political risks for Putin if he escalates the Russian war against Ukraine,” said Taylor.

Taylor is the author of “” (2011) and “” (2003), both from Cambridge University Press.

You can see talks that Taylor has given about Putin and foreign policy:

To schedule an interview, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 412-496-0551 (cell).

Taylor’s past interviews:

• France 24,
• Foreign Affairs, , (commentary)
• Washington Post,
• Vox,
• New York Times,
• Wall St. Journal,
• USA Today,
• Newsweek,