On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin effectively initiated a war against Ukraine, leading to Russia's invasion of the country. The origins of this conflict remain complex and puzzling. This project aims to shed light on the underlying causes of this perplexing war through the insights of five experts specializing in Russia and Ukraine.

The contributors and their respective topics are as follows: Professor Kimitaka Matsuzato analyzes the causes of the crisis that led to the war, taking into account historical factors, contemporary security concerns, and the situation in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Professor Mihoko Kato examines Russia's military and foreign policies before the invasion, explains the reasons for the diverse international reactions to the war, and highlights the possible emergence of a world of blocs. Professor Shinichiro Tabata focuses on the sanctions imposed on Russia, their immediate and long-term effects, Russia's responses to these measures, and prospects for the future transformation of the international economic order. Professor Mari Aburamoto examines the nature of Russian politics, which is difficult to see from the outside, by clarifying how changes in presidential approval ratings, the orientation of political elites, and the degree of repression of dissidents occurred before and after the invasion.  Professor Yu Koizumi, after discussing the characteristics of the ongoing war, positions this war as a classic type of war influenced by considerations of nuclear deterrence, and identifies lessons that Japan, with nuclear powers as potential adversaries, should draw from the war.

Among the many issues explored by the contributors, two common themes will be discussed at the end of this paper. The first is the causes of the outbreak of the war. While there are nuanced differences in understanding the impact of Ukraine's pursuit of NATO membership, there is a certain consensus on what brought about the war. The second is the issue of Russian national identity. Each contributor approaches Russia's complex self-image in different manners.

While there are nuanced differences in understanding the impact of Ukraine's pursuit of NATO membership, there is a certain consensus on what brought about the war. The second is the issue of Russian national identity. Each contributor approaches Russia's complex self-image in different manners.

 *This is a translation of a paper originally published in Japanese in December, 2022.