Путінське задзеркалля: псевдоісторичні ремінісценції як ідеологічне обгрунтування антиукраїнської експансії

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to characterize the main immanent properties of the rhetoric of the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, which appeals to the history of Russia and Ukraine. The methodological approaches are based on the theoretical work of leading experts in history, political science, law, social psychology, hermeneutics and the application of interdisciplinary methods and modern terminology. The scientific novelty of the material is determined by reference to several Putin texts, which ideologically and motivationally framed the large-scale invasion of the Russian army into Ukraine. For the first time, they are analyzed together as forming the core "concept" of the Kremlin's aggressive anti-Ukrainian course. Conclusions. Historical and related commemorative politics play a special role in totalitarian and authoritarian states, as they effectively mobilize society and legitimize existing regimes. In the modern Russian Federation, historical politics serves as a tool for justifying the expansionist, imperialist course of the Kremlin to its neighbors. The disintegration of the Union of the SSR caused a shock to most Russians, who were overwhelmed by feelings of resentment and nostalgia for the lost greatness of the world power. On these psychological strings, the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, "plays" who systematically resorts to historical reminiscences, in which he searches for arguments for asserting an aggressive line of behavior in the international arena. The fact that these appeals to the past are accompanied by falsifications and even outright lies is of no particular importance to the "deep Russian people." After all, the speaker determines the degree of truth of what is said there. Manipulation of the mass consciousness of Russian citizens enabled the Russian authorities to mentally and physically involve tens of millions of people in the war against Ukraine. The texts of Putin's articles and addresses convince that the Russian leadership and society have lost their ethical and value orientations, ignore the principles of the rule of law, democratic freedoms, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.