Episode
#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
2:49:16
Published: Wed May 25 2022
Description
Stephen Kotkin is a historian specializing in Stalin and Soviet history. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Lambda: https://lambdalabs.com/lex - Scale: https://scale.com/lex - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - ROKA: https://roka.com/ and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order EPISODE LINKS: Stephen's Website: https://history.princeton.edu/people/stephen-kotkin Stalin: 1878-1928 (Vol 1): https://amzn.to/3NvokpC Stalin: 1929-1941 (Vol 2): https://amzn.to/3wIYqsT PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (10:17) - Putin and Stalin (21:07) - Putin vs the West (43:59) - Response to Oliver Stone (55:05) - Russian invasion of Ukraine (1:34:33) - Putin's plan for the war (1:42:32) - Henry Kissinger (1:48:26) - Nuclear war (1:59:00) - Parallels to World War II (2:21:45) - China (2:29:54) - World War III (2:37:23) - Navalny (2:41:40) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Stephen Kotkin provides a deeply contextualized analysis of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, juxtaposing it with the complex geopolitics of Russia and world history, while maintaining a balance of wit, humor and intensity.
00:00 - 02:31 (02:31)
Summary
Stephen Kotkin provides a deeply contextualized analysis of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, juxtaposing it with the complex geopolitics of Russia and world history, while maintaining a balance of wit, humor and intensity. The conversation also includes a response to a previous episode with Oliver Stone about Putin and the Ukraine war.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The quality of data for labeling and training machine learning systems is far more crucial than the neural network architecture or model used in real-world applications.
02:31 - 09:43 (07:12)
Summary
The quality of data for labeling and training machine learning systems is far more crucial than the neural network architecture or model used in real-world applications. Although computers and machine learning bring joy, the necessity of quality data in the application cannot be understated.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The difficulty of managing Russian power in the world, the consequences of its historical policies, and the strategic choice to match the power of the West are discussed in this podcast.
09:43 - 21:47 (12:03)
Summary
The difficulty of managing Russian power in the world, the consequences of its historical policies, and the strategic choice to match the power of the West are discussed in this podcast.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The psychological need for managing Russian power in the world, coupled with the feeling of being losers in the transition after the fall of Soviet Union, drives the longstanding gap with the West.
21:47 - 33:03 (11:16)
Summary
The psychological need for managing Russian power in the world, coupled with the feeling of being losers in the transition after the fall of Soviet Union, drives the longstanding gap with the West. This further dimension of resentment is manifested in the looting of the state and using British institutions to launder their money.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast emphasizes the importance of the protection of civil liberties and of democratic values during the Cold War.
33:03 - 39:27 (06:23)
Summary
This podcast emphasizes the importance of the protection of civil liberties and of democratic values during the Cold War. It also debunks some common misconceptions regarding the events that took place during that time.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The blame for the invasion of Ukraine lies not with larger forces, but with the geopolitics of the world, which is driven by the most powerful military nation in the world, the United States.
39:27 - 54:46 (15:19)
Summary
The blame for the invasion of Ukraine lies not with larger forces, but with the geopolitics of the world, which is driven by the most powerful military nation in the world, the United States. While Ukraine had the legal right to join NATO and the EU, the Western countries decided it wasn't ready for membership, and it was not a direct threat to the Putin regime.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The decisions made in geopolitics often do not consider the amount of human suffering caused by those decisions.
54:46 - 1:05:31 (10:44)
Summary
The decisions made in geopolitics often do not consider the amount of human suffering caused by those decisions. Instead, success is measured through economic and power geopolitical power means.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speakers debate about whether world leaders can exist in a separate reality despite their international dealings, with one arguing that it is difficult to have illusions about the world one lives in, especially in a Western-dominated world.
1:05:31 - 1:14:16 (08:45)
Summary
The speakers debate about whether world leaders can exist in a separate reality despite their international dealings, with one arguing that it is difficult to have illusions about the world one lives in, especially in a Western-dominated world.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Western supply of weapons, including heavy and offensive weapons, to Ukraine for its self-defense against the Russian invasion is legal under international law, unlike the illegal Russian invasion.
1:14:16 - 1:22:49 (08:32)
Summary
The Western supply of weapons, including heavy and offensive weapons, to Ukraine for its self-defense against the Russian invasion is legal under international law, unlike the illegal Russian invasion. Although there are clear factions between the West and East of Ukraine, the Ukrainian society is courageous in resisting the invasion, and a television production company has been able to run the country during the war.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
An inflection moment has occurred as the Western idea of a declining power center has been proven false in the face of rising powers in the 21st century.
1:22:49 - 1:29:21 (06:32)
Summary
An inflection moment has occurred as the Western idea of a declining power center has been proven false in the face of rising powers in the 21st century. Whether this moment is squandered or results in further consolidation is yet to be seen.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on Russia avoiding responsibility for their losses in Ukraine and the importance of the West using its power legally and with restraint when dealing with Russia.
1:29:21 - 1:38:40 (09:18)
Summary
A discussion on Russia avoiding responsibility for their losses in Ukraine and the importance of the West using its power legally and with restraint when dealing with Russia.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Ukrainians have proven their ability to defend against counterattacks, but they have yet to coordinate a combined arms operation with air power, tanks, drones, and infantry.
1:38:39 - 1:54:34 (15:54)
Summary
The Ukrainians have proven their ability to defend against counterattacks, but they have yet to coordinate a combined arms operation with air power, tanks, drones, and infantry. Russia's attempt to use a tactical nuclear weapon on Ukrainian territory could result in the spread of fallout, and its ongoing attacks have severely impacted Ukraine's economy.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Ukraine conflict is likely to continue as a stalemate with fierce resistance from behind Russian lines putting stress on their military industrial complex.
1:54:34 - 2:10:43 (16:09)
Summary
The Ukraine conflict is likely to continue as a stalemate with fierce resistance from behind Russian lines putting stress on their military industrial complex. Defining a war criminal requires evidence and due process, not just accusations on social media or podcasts.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The importance of in-person meetings and the reminder of humanity's unity is discussed in the context of Russia's grievances with the US, including Putin's request for control over former Soviet countries, and the dangerous idea of exerting influence solely due to a country's power and greatness.
2:10:43 - 2:21:26 (10:42)
Summary
The importance of in-person meetings and the reminder of humanity's unity is discussed in the context of Russia's grievances with the US, including Putin's request for control over former Soviet countries, and the dangerous idea of exerting influence solely due to a country's power and greatness.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker cites multiple challenges that China is currently and will continue to face, including damaged relationships with other countries, regulatory issues, demographic problems, and more, making it difficult to execute its grand strategy for global dominance.
2:21:26 - 2:31:03 (09:37)
Summary
The speaker cites multiple challenges that China is currently and will continue to face, including damaged relationships with other countries, regulatory issues, demographic problems, and more, making it difficult to execute its grand strategy for global dominance.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Alexei Navalny's imprisonment in Russia could potentially be a political card that President Putin and Russian elites could use in the future.
2:31:03 - 2:42:00 (10:56)
Summary
Alexei Navalny's imprisonment in Russia could potentially be a political card that President Putin and Russian elites could use in the future. Navalny is seen as a threat and his release from prison could be a way to remove sanctions or gain political power.
Episode#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact on others, no matter how small it may seem, and that it can provide greater meaning and satisfaction in one's life.
2:42:00 - 2:48:24 (06:24)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact on others, no matter how small it may seem, and that it can provide greater meaning and satisfaction in one's life. He also acknowledges the significance of being shown respect and care in conversations.