Russian World and Ukrainian Autocephaly: Religious Narratives in Anti-Colonial Nationalism of Ukraine

The paper examines the role of religious narratives in on-going Russo-Ukrainian conflict. literature on nationalism offers several ways which religion plays a national identity narratives. strong connection between Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and state have been well-known. narrative “chosen” nation “third Rome” fueled neo-imperial discourse Russkii Mir (Russian World) shapes Foreign Policy “near abroad”. is used as tool to shape disseminate these narratives, means for justification aggression Ukraine. This seeks analyze Russia neo-colonial post-colonial It argues that Ukrainian nationalism, should it develop, will do so response actions driven by ideological narrative. President Poroshenko’s decision support recognition an autocephalous Ukraine (OCU) 2018 was valiant effort aid construction Ukraine’s anti-colonial Prior invasion, there seemed be relatively weak public nationalist evidence shows commitment pluralism continues prevalent society.