Ukraine is Not a Part of Russia; It's a Part of Western Civilization

Ukraine is Not a Part of Russia; It's a Part of Western Civilization

Author: Mark McNamee January 9, 2025 Duration: 53:41
Did you know Kyiv is nearly 1,000 years older than Moscow? Did you know Ukrainian is far older than the Russian language? Did you know Russians can’t understand Ukrainian? Did you know Russia even stole its name “Russia” from Ukraine? In this episode, I greatly enjoyed speaking with Igor Osypenko, the director of OLOS-Foundation, which is devoted to the development and popularization of Ukrainian culture and history. We did our best to dispel the endless myths Moscow has created to justify its imperial expansion into Ukraine. Learn about Ukraine’s distinct history, language, and culture, proving how unique and separate it has been from Moscow throughout its history. Ultimately, Ukraine is in fact a part of Western civilization, Russia is not and has never been. Make Russia Small Again! Ihor Osypenko, Partner in OLOS.UA company, which has provided education for Ukrainian entrepreneurs in leadership, management and negotiations since 2008. Ihor is also a director of OLOS-Foundation, whose main goal is the popularization of Ukrainian culture and history by publishing historical books, organizing concerts with traditional music, ethnographic expeditions across Ukraine, etc. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Is There a Red Line for Trump Voters? (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump. For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Amer…
Is There a Red Line for Trump Voters? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump. For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Amer…
Iran: What comes next and how will it impact Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:28
I had the great pleasure in this episode in speaking with a world-renowned expert on Iran and militant Shia groups in the Middle East - and also an old friend from my Washington DC days - Phillip Smyth, to discuss the Wa…
The Real Story of the Front from a War Correspondent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
What is the front like these days in this new era of drones? What is the situation around Pokrovsk? Is Ukraine's biggest issue manpower or actually weapons? And did America actually support Russia to defeat the Ukrainian…
Gen. David Petraeus on the War in Ukraine at its 4 year anniversary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:38
Last week marked the 4-year anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. To mark this date, I had the great pleasure to speak with Gen. David Petraeus to do an overview of where the war is…
Kremlin propaganda: Ukrainian Nazis - What's the truth behind it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
Does Ukraine have a Nazi problem? How pervasive is far-right nationalism in Ukraine? What is the history of the Kremlin's propaganda campaign about Ukrainian Nazis? Why does Moscow insist on calling Ukrainians all Nazis?…
Another Kremlin Lie - US biolabs in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
We delved into yet another Kremlin lie, this one a recurring theme literally for the past 60 years going back to the Soviet era - US biolabs around the word out to attack Russia. To reveal this lie, I spoke with Dr. Dmyt…