Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, and its repercussions continue reverberating worldwide. A recent Chatham House report lists seven ways Russia’s war on Ukraine has changed the world. They include shifting security alliances, nuclear risks, energy and food challenges.  These issues are having an immediate impact on international security and are regularly discussed and debated by politicians and experts.

What has perhaps been receiving less attention, but which could potentially lead to even more volatility in the international system, is the effect of the war in Ukraine on historical tensions between the principles and application of self-determination and territorial integrity, both in the post-Soviet space and beyond. Self-determination and territorial integrity are often viewed as competing principles or opposites, but not in Ukraine as the country claims both rights — of territorial integrity and self-determination. This interwovenness of the two principles has sent mixed messages across the globe, with various parties using them to advance their specific political and geopolitical interests.

The mixed messages and interpretations from the war in Ukraine have not only triggered renewed calls for secession as an extreme form of self-determination but have also enhanced attempts by several governments and authoritarian regimes to reclaim territorial integrity at any cost.  They have also led to conversations about the sustainability of Russia as a multinational federation in the context of the failing Ukraine invasion. Others see in such scenarios a danger of greater instability in Eurasia with undesirable geopolitical implications.

These discussions and debates are relevant to the New Zealand Government’s role and responsibilities in self-determination matters, both internal and external, as well as its commitment to the rules-based international system.

The presentation will address and assess various responses and interpretations related to sovereignty and national identity challenges driven by the Ukraine war and their political and geopolitical implications.  

Registration is essential to attend this event. Names will be checked on arrival. Please bring your registration copy by email or printed.

Online option: This event will also be held online and zoom details sent to those registered at midday on Wednesday 6 September.

About Professor Rouben Azizian

Rouben Azizian is a professor at Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies. His major areas of expertise are Asia-Pacific security environment and architecture, diplomacy and conflict resolution, security sector governance and post-Soviet politics. Professor Azizian is also the Chair of the Auckland Branch of the NZIIA, Editor-in-Chief of the National Security Journal and member of editorial boards of various international academic journals. Previously he taught at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu (2002-2015) and the Department of Political Studies at the University of Auckland (1994-2001). Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Professor Azizian had an extensive career in the Soviet and later Russian Foreign Service, which included assignments in Nepal (1972-1978), Sri Lanka (1980-1985) and New Zealand (1991-1994). Professor Azizian has published several books as well as numerous book chapters, journal articles and working papers on Asia-Pacific security issues and post-Soviet policies and politics.