State-Building in the Context of the Russian–Ukrainian War: Transformation of Public Perceptions of the Revolution of Dignity (2014–2025)

Abstract

The article examines, on the basis of sociological surveys, the transformations of public perceptions of the Revolution of Dignity during the Russian–Ukrainian war (2014–2025). It is demonstrated that at the initial stage the events of the Maidan were perceived by a significant part of society primarily as a response to an internal political crisis and the curtailment of the state’s European course; however, after the onset of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, interpretations of the Revolution of Dignity underwent substantial transformations. In mass consciousness, it increasingly came to be understood as a pivotal stage in the formation of a modern Ukrainian political nation.

It is noted that the Russian–Ukrainian war actualized the value-based dimensions of the revolutionary events, in particular the ideas of dignity, freedom, and sovereignty. The article emphasizes that sociological surveys conducted in different years clearly illustrate the fact that the Revolution of Dignity began to be perceived not only as a protest movement but also as a component of a long-term national liberation struggle. It is highlighted that in 2014–2025 public perceptions of the Maidan became an important factor in the consolidation of Ukrainian society.

Regional and age-related differences in perceptions of the Revolution of Dignity are analyzed, and growing consensus regarding its significance is emphasized in the context of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in 2022. On the basis of sociological surveys, it is established that the Revolution of Dignity has increasingly been interpreted as a point of no return in Ukraine’s recent history, as it facilitated the integration of Maidan ideas into the state ideology of resistance. The article concludes that the reinterpretation of the events of the Revolution of Dignity has become an important factor of state-building in the context of the Russian–Ukrainian war. The findings deepen the understanding of the relationship between the Russian–Ukrainian war, memory politics, and national identity.