The Bronze Horseman, an equestrian monument standing in Senate Square of St Petersburg, was originally commissioned by Catherine the Great to honor Peter the Great, the founder of the city. A brief inscription on its pedestal reads, “To Peter the First, Catherine the Second, 1782.” This historical reference has prompted questions about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin aspires to be remembered as the “third” great figure, potentially mirroring the expansionist ambitions associated with Vladimir the Great.
According to former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, this drive for legacy is central to understanding the conflict in Ukraine. He suggests that Putin’s willingness to pursue expansion at any cost is fueled primarily by a singular concern: how history will record his actions.
“Putin only cares about what will be written about him in history books,” Kuleba stated, highlighting the leader’s focus on historical reputation over contemporary realities.
I hope Kuleba is right, but isn’t Putin also driven by immediate power? Historical immortality feels like a secondary motive.
The historical parallels are striking. If Putin sees himself as Peter the Great’s successor, this war is about legacy, not just land.