The conflict in Ukraine has deep domestic roots. A third of the population, primarily in the East and South, regards its own Russian cultural identity as entirely compatible with a Ukrainian civic identity. The state’s reluctance to recognize this ethnos as a legitimate part of the modern Ukrainian nation, has created a tragic cycle that entangles Ukrainian politics. The Tragedy of Ukraine argues that in order to untangle the conflict within the Ukraine, it must be addressed on an emotional, as well as institutional level. It draws on Richard Ned Lebow’s ‘tragic vision of politics’ and on classical Greek tragedy to assist in understanding the persistence of this conflict. Classical Greek tragedy once served as a mechanism in Athenian society to heal deep social trauma and create more just institutions. The Tragedy of Ukraine reflects on the ways in which ancient Greek tragedy can help us rethink civic conflict and polarization, as well as model ways of healing deep social divisions. "Brilliant, insightful, thoroughly researched study. Essential reading for those who wish to understand the causes of the war in Ukraine and its implications for the rest of the world." -- Jack F. Matlock , Jr., U.S. Ambassador to the USSR, 1987-1991, author of Autopsy on an Empire , and Superpower Illusion s "Unique in amplifying the voices of the 'other Ukraine' that fit neither Putin's 'single people' nor the dominant Ukrainian nation-building projects." -- Volodymyr Ishchenko , Freie Universität Berlin "Provides a unique insight into one of the great tragedies of our time and is set to become a classic." -- Richard Sakwa , University of Kent, author of Frontline Ukraine "An important and intriguing guide to Ukraine's historical and cultural diversity . . . a riveting portrait." -- Katrina vanden Heuvel , Publisher, The Nation "Wise and important . . . Petro writes gracefully and knowingly, carefully tracing the path into doom and the potential ways out." -- David C. Hendrickson , president of the John Quincy Adams Society and professor emeritus at Colorado College "Brilliantly argued, meticulously illustrated and potentially therapeutic, if we heed his account." -- David C. Speedie , Senior Fellow and founding director of the program on U.S. Global Engagement at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. "Timely, original, and most of all, wise." -- James Carden , Responsible Statecraft "If you're looking for a thought-provoking book that explains the complex history of Ukraine, its relationship to Russia, and the underlying causes of the current conflict, I highly recommend this one." -- Natylie Baldwin , Natylie's Place: Understanding Russia "Petro's words are not flashy, but they go deep and they are — this is the only word for them — irenic. Petro wants to find a path to peace inside Ukraine, as well as between Ukraine and Ukraine's Russian neighbor and sibling." -- Benjamin Abelow , author of How the West Brought War to Ukraine "Dr. Nicolai Petro's ideas exude a degree of wisdom and humanity that is sorely lacking in most of the Western discourse about the Ukraine war." -- Amb. Peggy Mason , President of the Rideau Institute (Canada) "A magnificent and poignant book." -- Sebastião Velasco e Cruz , Professor, Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in International Relations "San Tiago Dantas," Brazil. "If the history that is unfolding before our eyes can be treated as a living text, The Tragedy of Ukraine is the most profound and balanced 'hermeneutic' of the conflict that I have read so far." -- Salvatore Minolfi , author of Le origini del conflitto russo-ucraino "Brilliant, insightful, thoroughly researched study. Essential reading for those who wish to understand the causes of the war in Ukraine and its implications for the rest of the world." Jack F. Matlock, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to USSR, 1987–1991, author of Autopsy on an Empire, and Superpower Illusions "The book is unique in amplifying the voices of the ‘other Ukraine’ that fit neither Putin’s ‘single people’ nor the dominant Ukrainian nation-building projects." Volodymyr Ishchenko, Freie Universität Berlin "This convincing and original study provides a unique insight into one of the great tragedies of our time and is set to become a classic." Richard Sakwa, University of Kent, author of Frontline Ukraine " The Tragedy of Ukraine is an important and intriguing guide to Ukraine’s historical and cultural diversity, and a riveting portrait of the current in the latest series of conflicts that have besieged this area of the world for centuries." Katrina vanden Heuvel, Publisher, The Nation "This wise and important book applies the lessons of Greek tragedy to the conflict in Ukraine. Petro writes gracefully and knowingly, carefully tracing the path into doom and the potential ways out." David C. Hendrickson, president of the John Quincy Adams Society and professor emeritus at Colorado