'Putin's Revenge' book details how Ukraine invasion came to be

For decades, former NPR reporter Lucian Kim followed the political machinations of Russia and Ukraine. He reported on everything from Ukraine’s grass roots Orange Revolution in 2004, to the Maidan uprising and full-scale invasion of Crimea in 2014, to his all-out war in Ukraine, launched in March of 2022.

His new book, “Putin’s Revenge: Why Russia Invaded Ukraine,” takes a deep dive into the roots of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s motivations. It traces his transformation from pragmatist to tyrant as frustration, jealousy and rage escalated with Ukraine’s successful uprisings, leading first to the invasion and annexation of Crimea, then planting the seeds for the current war.

Kim joins Here & Now's Robin Young to discuss the roots of the conflict.

By Lucian Kim

Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.