Overline: Public Lecture

Headline: Russia’s War in Ukraine – An Imperial, Colonial and Ecological Battle against Energy Transition

"Russia’s War in Ukraine – An Imperial, Colonial and Ecological Battle against Energy Transition", by Prof. Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen, University of Helsinki

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Abstract

Putin's Russia is at war with democracy, but the imperialist and colonial objective to destroy Ukraine's independence is linked also to natural resources, energy and climate change. At the root of Putin's power is fossil energy, and by trying to undermine the western liberal-democratic model his regime is engaging in a material and ecological battle against energy transition and climate mitigation that leans on new technologies seen as hostile by Russia.

About the speaker

Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen is a Professor in Russian Environmental Studies at the Aleksanteri Institute, Finnish Centre for Russian and Eastern European Studies at the University of Helsinki. He leads the Research Group on the Russian Environment that consists of dozen researchers focusing on energy and environmental policies; energy security; political power and culture in Russia. He outlines his multidisciplinary take on Russia in his book “The Energy of Russia. Hydrocarbon Culture and Climate Change” (Edward Elgar, 2019). Professor Tynkkynen is an experienced speaker with a wide track-record in giving lectures and courses at European and Russian universities. He has delivered tens of public talks, is frequently giving expert statements for authorities as well as is an oft-asked commentator at media.