Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the start of the largest European conflict since the end of World War II came as a shock to the world at large. As we consider the stunning realities of Vladimir Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling, and watch with horror the scenes of recent civilian bombings, it is more important than ever to understand the actual historical causes of this catastrophic conflict. This lecture will trace the origins of this newest European war and explain the reasons for the return of the Cold War to the very same part of the world where it ended 30 years earlier.

Serhii Plokhii is the Mykhailo Hrushevsky Professor of Ukrainian History and the director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. He has written numerous books related to Ukraine, Russia, Eastern Europe, World War II and the Cold War. His recent books include Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy and Nuclear Folly: A History of the Cuban Missile Crisis. His latest book, Atoms and Ashes: A Global History of Nuclear Disasters, was released in May 2022.

This event is free and open to the public. Members of the general public must register in advance before arriving on campus. No prior registration is required for Wellesley College faculty, staff, or students.