Taylor Weighs in on the Possibility of Putin Reviving the Soviet Union in Newsweek

May 19, 2022

Newsweek

Brian Taylor

Political Science Department

Russia

Newsweek

Brian Taylor

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some have raised concerns that Putin could seek to revive the Soviet Union. Brian Taylor, professor of political science, explains how Putin trying to bring back the USSR in geographic terms would harm the wealth of Russian oligarchs, who Putin relies on heavily for support.

Putin attempting to retake some of the former Soviet Republics would cause these oligarchs to take on additional sanctions—in addition to those already imposed amid the Ukraine invasion. The oligarchs would also likely have to take companies seized by Russia during the war, but this would not be a "welcome gift," as they would need to invest money into these businesses that would have been ravaged by war, Taylor says.

Read more in the Newsweek article, "Putin Allies' Wealth Will Keep Him From Reviving USSR."