Russia has always seen itself as under siege from the west. In 1853 Tsar Nicholas I noted that 'We can expect nothing from the West but blind hatred and malice'. He was reacting to what he saw as the double standards of the west, that anything Russia did in terms of militarily defending itself was seen as 'disturbing the balance of power'. One hundred years later, in 1952, Vladimir Putin was born and now as the President of Russia expresses this same opinion by his actions, by his own written history of Russia and by his speeches. This course examines Putin'’s history, his childhood, his behaviour as a young adult and then his time leading up to becoming the President in 1999. It then covers his behaviour in the time leading up to the Ukraine war and his refusal to cease his invasion of territory which was no longer a part of Russia. In this way this course is a profile of how Putin thinks about his role as the President of Russia, his impact on his people, the deterioration in his relationship with the west and his authoritarian control of Russia. His war has resulted in the death of an estimated million soldiers. How will his country recover even if he were to win the war? Will he ever come to a cessation of this war and if so what would influence him to do this?

Profiling Putin

Course Description

Why do some leaders cause immense harm, and why do systems fail to stop them? 

This thought-provoking course explores these questions through a psychological, historical, and political profile of Vladimir Putin. 

Drawing on long-standing patterns in Russian history, the course traces how personal experience, national trauma, and enduring perceptions of threat have shaped Russia’s leadership culture and Putin’s worldview in particular.

Beginning with Russia’s deep historical sense of being under siege by the West, the course follows Putin’s development from his childhood in post-war Leningrad (now St Petersburg), through his KGB years, rise to power, and consolidation of authority. 

It examines how his experiences, beliefs, and interpretation of history inform his actions today – especially his decision to invade Ukraine and his determination to continue the war despite its enormous human cost. 

The course invites participants to consider not only what has happened, but why it continues, and what this means for Russia, Ukraine, and the wider world.

Course Structure

The course begins by setting the broader historical context, exploring long-standing Russian attitudes toward the West and the legacy of war, loss, and perceived humiliation. 

It then moves into Putin’s early life, examining how childhood experiences, Soviet identity, and World War II memory shaped his sense of strength, vulnerability, and loyalty to the state.

From there, the focus shifts to Putin’s career in the KGB, his time in Dresden and St Petersburg, and his transition into Moscow politics. 

The course then explores his presidency, the evolution of his leadership style, and the steady deterioration of Russia’s relationship with the West. 

Using images, video clips, and guided discussion alongside narrative analysis, participants are encouraged to understand not just events, but the lived experience of being Putin, and of being Russian. culminating in an examination of the Ukraine war and the forces driving its continuation.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe key influences on Putin’s early life, including Russia’s World War II experience
• Understand how historical trauma and war memory have shaped Russian identity
• Outline Putin’s role in the KGB and his early political career
• Explain Putin’s rise to power and development as President of Russia
• Identify factors influencing his relationship with the West
• Understand the motivations behind the war in Ukraine and its impact on Russia and its people
• Access further readings to deepen their understanding of contemporary Russia and its leadership.

Your tutor is Fiona Bradford, BA (Dip App Psych) MPsych(Work and Organisational)

Fiona has been with WEA since 2025

Fiona is now retired after an extended career as a psychologist. Her BA was a double major in Psychology and History. During her working life she continued her reading about modern European history specifically WWI and WW2 as a hobby. In the course of these studies she read a three volume history of Kaiser Wilhelm written by John CJ Rohl in which the author described the letters that were exchanged between Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicolas II who were cousins, both were the grandchildren of Queen Victoria. These letters which were signed by both of them as between ‘Nicky' and ‘Willy’. This led to Fiona's interest in the role Russia played in both wars and the cost to this country in lives but also the link between WWI and the Russian Revolution. In turn this brought her to read Russian history including her focus on Putin as he has become so focused on conquering Ukraine despite the ongoing enormous costs to Russia and its peoples.