Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Stalin, Hitler, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine | Lex Fridman Podcast #289

A leader in Stalin's category, known for causing more tragic deaths than Stalin due to the larger population he controlled, having also observed Stalin's actions.

His retreat from Moscow is referenced in reverse to describe how Russian troops withdrew from Eastern European advanced positions after the Cold War.

Former US President who attempted to 'reset' relations with Russia and with whom Putin had an important early relationship post-9/11.

A singular historical figure and former leader of the Soviet Union, compared to Hitler and Mao in terms of power and duration, responsible for millions of deaths. Putin is said to work in some of the same offices Stalin once used.

A leader in Stalin's category of singular figures, responsible for mass atrocities.

A Russian oligarch whose company, Yukos, was expropriated by Putin's regime, symbolizing the reversal of wealth for 'losers' in the post-Soviet transition.

The last head analyst of the Soviet KGB and an important figure for understanding the Soviet collapse, who wrote a memoir about the period.

Current US President whose administration initially offered Zelenskyy an exit from Ukraine, indicating a miscalculation of Ukrainian resolve, but later provided substantial aid.

Former Chancellor of Germany, associated with the 'change through trade' (Wandel durch Handel) strategy, which proved illusory in managing authoritarian regimes like Russia.

Former US President who tried to hold the Soviet Union together to avoid chaos during its collapse and later sent financial aid to Russia.

Former US President credited for standing up to Stalin's regime during the Cold War despite the convenience of having an enemy.

Arguably the second most important/influential person in Russia. His survival in prison could be seen by the Putin regime as a 'get out of jail card' to lift sanctions.

Former US President whose administration also attempted to 'reset' relations with Russia, doing 'nothing' after the Georgian War except slapping Putin on the wrist.

A figure wrongly reported to have been arrested by Putin as a scapegoat for the Ukraine war, who gave the eulogy at Leonov's funeral.

A former Russian Tsar, whose era represents a historical benchmark for Russia's geopolitical pushback similar to its current borders.

Former US President who publicly sided with Putin over US intelligence on election interference, continuing a pattern of Western appeasement.

The empress who built the Imperial Senate inside the Kremlin, a building where Putin and Stalin conducted meetings.

Head of Russia's Security Council, described as Putin's right-hand man and a key figure in promoting the conspiratorial theory that the West aims to destroy Russia.

An inspiring global figure whose quotes about truth and love ultimately prevailing over tyrants are cited at the end of the podcast.

The current leader of Russia, compared to Stalin in ambition and the dilemma of managing Russian power but not in the scale of atrocities. He is seen as deluded by a conspiratorial theory of the West.

Former US President whose administration sent billions in taxpayer money to Russia, which subsequently disappeared.

President of Ukraine, who unexpectedly demonstrated courageous leadership by remaining in Kyiv during the invasion, rallying his nation and proving highly effective in information warfare.

Former US Secretary of State, whose op-ed on the Ukraine war is referenced, and who has had private meetings with Putin where Putin primarily expressed grievances.

A failed Russian project aimed at creating its own 'Silicon Valley,' highlighting the regime's inability to invest effectively in human capital and infrastructure due to corruption.

Site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, brought up to illustrate how radioactive fallout from a tactical nuclear attack in Ukraine would inevitably affect Russia itself.

One of Putin's residences near Moscow, with an office designed to appear uniform online, complicating attempts to pinpoint his whereabouts.

A Russian city with an office used by Putin, made to look generically similar to his other offices for virtual meetings, making his physical location difficult to trace.

An improvised incendiary weapon, emblematic of desperate civilian resistance against tanks, highlighting the ingenuity and resolve of Ukrainian citizens.

An international financial institution that, along with others, provided billions in aid to Russia in the 1990s, much of which disappeared.

Russia's self-standing bodyguard directorate, described as Putin's praetorian guard, which remains loyal and prevents any internal coupe attempts against him.

The command structure responsible for strategic nuclear weapons, requiring dual-key confirmation alongside Putin for launch, raising questions about compliance in extreme scenarios.

The Soviet military force that eventually evicted the Nazis from Ukraine during World War II through massive counter-offensives.

A Russian think tank and discussion forum, which has an 'office' used by Putin; mentioned as one of the indistinguishable locations from which Putin conducts virtual meetings.

An internationally outlawed chemical weapon used by the Russian regime in literal assassination attempts, which went unpunished by the West in a meaningful way.