In this study, Mikhail Molchanov analyzes the political and cultural factors that underlie modern national identities in Russia and Ukraine and systematically compares the political cultures of these two historically similar, yet profoundly different nations.

Unlike those who fear a resurgent Russia and who argue that it should be contained by local nationalisms in the "near abroad," Molchanov believes this strategy can lead only to estrangement between Russia and its neighbors. In addition, Russia's recent opening and demonstrated support of the United States is too valuable to the world to be sacrificed to a new variant of the containment strategy.