Mon Mar 24 08:05:26 UTC 2025: ## Kremlin’s Drive for Great Power Status Fuels Ukraine Invasion, Historian Says
**Moscow, Russia** – A new interview with Russian-British historian Sergey Radchenko sheds light on the Kremlin’s enduring ambition to be recognized as a “Great Power,” a pursuit he argues is a key driver behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Radchenko, author of “To Run the World: The Kremlin’s Cold War Bid for Global Power,” spoke to Al Jazeera, comparing the current geopolitical landscape to the Cold War, but highlighting key differences.
While acknowledging similarities in the competition between global powers, Radchenko contends that the current rivalry is primarily between the US and China, not Russia. He points out that unlike the Cold War’s clear ideological divide, today’s world sees a more complex alignment of values, particularly between the US under Trump and Russia. However, the constant presence of nuclear weapons remains a major factor.
According to Radchenko, the Kremlin’s relentless pursuit of Great Power status is the greatest continuity between the Cold War and the present. He argues this desire for legitimacy, particularly recognition from the US, has driven Soviet and now Russian foreign policy. Even Stalin, he notes, prioritized American recognition of Soviet gains, even if it meant compromising on certain objectives.
Radchenko describes Putin’s obsession with gaining American recognition for Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a manifestation of this Great Power worldview. This 19th-century vision, he explains, sees Russia as the center of its own sphere of influence, where neighboring countries must defer to the Kremlin’s will. Disobedience, as seen in Ukraine, justifies punishment to assert Russia’s dominance. This parallels, to some extent, Trump’s rhetoric regarding US dominance in the Western Hemisphere, according to Radchenko.
The historian further explains that the distinction between Great Powers and “lesser” nations is largely based on self-perceived entitlement and recognition by other major players. While the US reluctantly recognized China’s Great Power status, it largely dismissed the importance of many European nations. Russia’s ongoing obsession with “Anglo-Saxons” reflects a perceived threat to its own Great Power aspirations.
Radchenko concludes that Russia’s prioritization of Great Power status over internal improvements stems from a historically conditioned mindset. Dominating weaker neighbors defines Russia’s greatness in the eyes of many Russians, a priority that outweighs domestic concerns. While acknowledging Russia’s current social and economic challenges, he notes the country’s resilience exceeds that of the Soviet Union, allowing for this continued pursuit of imperial ambitions.
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