Emily Channell-Justice leads the Contemporary Ukrainian Studies program at Harvard University. A social anthropologist, she has spent a decade examining Ukraine’s social and political realities. She advocates for Ukraine to shape its own future, potentially by joining the European Union. She emphasizes that rebuilding Ukraine is a responsibility for the West. The war has devastated industry and energy networks. She rejects the notion of a country permanently split between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian camps. She believes the far right holds limited power. She participates in EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, a newspaper under the same publishing group as this media, through a video conference from the United States.
How is the future of Ukraine envisioned?
It feels unclear, yet Ukrainians show unprecedented unity around the idea of being Ukrainian. The conflict has strengthened national resolve. Clear questions remain about how the country’s map will be redrawn in the years ahead. The public discourse focuses on sovereignty, security, and economic resilience.
How did Ukrainian society split after the war began? There are ethnic Russians and ethnic Ukrainians, with Russian and Ukrainian spoken by many.
Speaking Russian as a mother tongue does not determine ethnic identity. The majority who speak Russian are not ethnically Russian. Many Ukrainians use both languages. The presence of many Russian speakers led some to assume a pro-Russian stance, but that assumption is incomplete and often inaccurate.
Did attitudes toward Russia shift after the occupation?
Residents of Russian ethnicity in Ukraine are not inherently pro-Russian, and many learn Ukrainian to align with the national course. In the 2010 elections, western regions leaned toward pro-European candidates, while eastern regions favored others, yet the political landscape did not present a single pro-Russian portrait. A multi-vector foreign policy was advocated, balancing Europe and Russia.
“If Ukraine falls, the current order created after World War II would be endangered”
Events followed the Maidan protests, leading to significant political change.
Since then, Ukraine cannot be simply divided into east and west. Pro-European movements reached the east as well, including Donetsk and Crimea. Separatists gained power in Donbas, and many pro-Europeans fled, creating large-scale displacement. Within a population of roughly five million, at least one and a half million left the region.
What does it mean to be prorruso in Ukraine?
Relations with Russia are deep in the eastern regions, and many have relatives across the border. Both nations share a long history. If pro-Russian means seeking union with Russia, only a small minority holds that view. If pro-Russian means not hating Russia, that sentiment existed among many until the invasion on February 24.
The conflict began in 2014, with debates about responsibility and narratives. Some claim Western analysts framed Euromaidan as a Western blow, while others criticize such interpretations as lacking proof. This remains a contested narrative that has driven much discourse but remains debated among scholars.
Volodymyr Zelensky was elected with broad support. His popularity has fluctuated, reflecting the evolving public mood. In recent times, support has shown resilience, yet future shifts depend on negotiations, peace arrangements, and territorial outcomes. The public seems unwilling to cede territory without substantial assurances, including Crimea’s status.
Concerns arise about weapons, civilian safety, and the role of ultranationalist groups. There is recognition that some battalions, once part of military operations, integrated into the national army. The far right’s influence has diminished under Zelensky, though vigilance remains about postwar control of weapons and power structures.
Azov battalion is small and largely localized to Mariupol. Its political influence has waned, and its fate remains tied to a broader postwar landscape. The broader worry centers on external threats and the possibility of internal radicalization remaking civil society after hostilities subside.
“If Ukraine chooses neutrality, that option should be respected.”
What would the immediate postwar era look like economically and politically?
Ukraine will require substantial support to rebuild critical infrastructure, including bridges and roads destroyed by the fighting. Much of this aid is expected from European partners. The agricultural sector faces challenges from wartime losses, disrupted harvests, and fertilizer shortages. The destruction of Mariupol marked a significant blow to industrial capacity. Eastern energy infrastructure also suffered damage, increasing the urgency of reconstruction efforts and accountability for wartime crimes.
What about Ukraine’s debt?
Debt relief is discussed as a possible path to recovery, though it would be a major economic shift. Without relief, restoration will be more difficult. The World Bank projects a sharp contraction in GDP as the region recovers from the conflict.
How might the war end?
There is a sense of duty to support Ukraine in achieving victory and pursuing security guarantees, including membership in NATO and prospects for European Union integration. The international community’s role is critical in shaping a sustainable outcome.
Is such a scenario realistic?
EU states vary in their approach, with some vetoes in play and diverse expectations about NATO membership. The overarching view is that NATO and EU inclusion remain key anchors for Ukraine’s security and future prosperity. The broader hope is that a peaceful and stable order can be achieved through diplomatic, political, and military avenues.
Can Ukraine enter NATO or deepen ties without broader concessions?
The path forward involves leadership changes in adversarial powers and a reconfiguration of regional power. While long-term, a referendum could reflect popular will on neutrality or alliance commitments. Empathy for Ukrainian hardships helps illuminate the risks of a world where aggression goes unchecked. The focus remains on protecting civilians, rebuilding sovereignty, and supporting a resilient and independent Ukraine.