ONE MAN’S VISION, ONE PROTRACTED WAR: VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THE RUSSIA–UKRAINE CONFLICT

The protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict is considered one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe after World War II. This paper argues that Vladimir Putin’s ideological vision, rather than external threats such as NATO’s expansion, is the primary driver sustaining this crisis. Putin’s strategic objective is to reassert Russian dominance by restoring a “Russian World” and countering Western dominance through alliances with authoritarian regimes, including China, Iran, and North Korea. The paper critically examines competing narratives, contrasting realist explanations of defensive security responses with Putin’s assertive ambitions to reshape the global order. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in constructivist international relations and political psychology, the research highlights the psychological and individual dimensions of Putin’s leadership. The findings reveal how Putin’s nationalist and authoritarian vision, combined with evolving global alliances and geopolitical tensions, perpetuates the conflict and challenges the existing international security framework. This paper offers renewed insights into the interplay between individual leadership, ideological conviction and the shifting balance of global power.