Nicolai N. Petro

Nicolai N. Petro is a professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island, senior Washington fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, and the author of The Tragedy of Ukraine (De Gruyter, 2023).

Dean Acheson signs the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington DC, April 4, 1949.

NATO’s 75th Anniversary Is a Good Time to Reflect on Lost Opportunities That Still Haunt Us Today NATO’s 75th Anniversary Is a Good Time to Reflect on Lost Opportunities That Still Haunt Us Today

The broken promises that led to war.

Jul 8, 2024 / Nicolai N. Petro and Ted Snider

Ukrainian protester with face obscured by flag

The Tragedy of Ukraine The Tragedy of Ukraine

What classical Greek tragedy can teach us about conflict.

Jan 20, 2023 / Nicolai N. Petro

The Confrontation in Ukraine Is Political Theater Aimed at a Domestic Audience

The Confrontation in Ukraine Is Political Theater Aimed at a Domestic Audience The Confrontation in Ukraine Is Political Theater Aimed at a Domestic Audience

But the danger of accidentally triggering a real conflagration remains terrifyingly high.

Dec 10, 2021 / Nicolai N. Petro

Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky’s Landslide Victory in Ukraine May Become a Slippery Slope Volodymyr Zelensky’s Landslide Victory in Ukraine May Become a Slippery Slope

The new president must heal enormous social distrust if he doesn’t want to go the way of the previous administration.

Jul 25, 2019 / Nicolai N. Petro

Poroshenko Marshall Law

Ukraine’s Pinochet Scenario Ukraine’s Pinochet Scenario

Did President Poroshenko use a clash with Russia to try to shut down internal opposition?

Nov 28, 2018 / Nicolai N. Petro

Ukrainian flag

The Real Ukrainian Solution Is Federalism The Real Ukrainian Solution Is Federalism

Why is the mere discussion of federalism often equated with treason?

Jun 30, 2017 / Nicolai N. Petro

Is Ukraine Slipping Into Illiberal Democracy?

Is Ukraine Slipping Into Illiberal Democracy? Is Ukraine Slipping Into Illiberal Democracy?

The terms “pro-European” and “anti-European” no longer serve as useful reference points in Ukrainian politics—the real issue in this election was war ...

Oct 30, 2014 / Nicolai N. Petro

The Endgame in Crimea

The Endgame in Crimea The Endgame in Crimea

Can the referendum results be interpreted in a way that allows politicians in both Kiev and Crimea to save face? 

Mar 14, 2014 / Nicolai N. Petro

Threat of Military Confrontation Grows in Ukraine

Threat of Military Confrontation Grows in Ukraine Threat of Military Confrontation Grows in Ukraine

Unless the country embraces the ideal of cultural pluralism within one nation, crises like this one will continue to erupt.

Mar 3, 2014 / Nicolai N. Petro

The Battle for Kiev

The Battle for Kiev The Battle for Kiev

All parties involved share responsibility for the failure of negotiations and the escalation of violence in Ukraine. 

Feb 21, 2014 / Nicolai N. Petro

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