"THE CLIMAX OF THE BEGINNING: The Primrose Path to the Ukrainian Conflict" is the title of a book by author Janvier Chando, published around 2025. It frames the lead-up to the Russo-Ukrainian war as a deliberately engineered or misguided trajectory — a "primrose path" (a deceptively easy or pleasant route leading to disaster) — that turned Ukraine and related East Slavic peoples into geopolitical pawns.
From posts promoting it (primarily by the author on X), the work argues that grievances, covert/open policies, and actions pushed Ukraine toward civil conflict (post-2014) and eventual full-scale war with Russia. It positions the conflict as haunting East Slavs (Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Rusyns), the broader Slavic world, Europe, and people of European descent elsewhere. The book aims to simplify understanding of these complex events while laying groundwork for resolution, East Slavic reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region.Connection to Broader DiscourseThe phrase "primrose path" in relation to Ukraine originates most prominently from political scientist John J. Mearsheimer (University of Chicago). In a widely viewed 2015 lecture (often titled or referenced as "Why Ukraine is the West's Fault" or similar), he warned:
As of early 2026, the Russo-Ukrainian war remains active, with ongoing discussions about ceasefires, territorial realities, security guarantees, and potential U.S./European roles in any settlement. Views differ sharply: some see it as a preventable tragedy of great-power competition; others as unprovoked aggression against sovereignty.
If this is a reference to Chando's book specifically, it's available on platforms like Amazon (e.g., as an eBook in the "UKRAINE: Conflict and Peace" series)."The Climax of the Beginning" is available as an Audible Audiobook, a Kindle edition, and a paperback book. The audiobook is 1 hour and 24 minutes long
From posts promoting it (primarily by the author on X), the work argues that grievances, covert/open policies, and actions pushed Ukraine toward civil conflict (post-2014) and eventual full-scale war with Russia. It positions the conflict as haunting East Slavs (Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Rusyns), the broader Slavic world, Europe, and people of European descent elsewhere. The book aims to simplify understanding of these complex events while laying groundwork for resolution, East Slavic reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region.Connection to Broader DiscourseThe phrase "primrose path" in relation to Ukraine originates most prominently from political scientist John J. Mearsheimer (University of Chicago). In a widely viewed 2015 lecture (often titled or referenced as "Why Ukraine is the West's Fault" or similar), he warned:
"The West is leading Ukraine down the primrose path. And the end result is that Ukraine is going to get wrecked."
Mearsheimer's realist perspective blamed Western (especially U.S./NATO) encouragement of Ukraine's pro-Western orientation — including NATO/EU aspirations — for provoking Russian security fears without providing real protection. He advocated for Ukrainian neutrality to avert catastrophe. This prediction gained massive attention after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion, with the lecture amassing tens of millions of views.The phrase has since been echoed in:- Analyses critiquing NATO expansion (e.g., pieces in The American Mind, The National Interest, Foreign Affairs discussions).
- Debates on whether the West offered false promises, provoking Russia while leaving Ukraine vulnerable.
- Counterarguments that emphasize Russian imperialism, Putin's agency, or Ukrainian self-determination over Western "fault."
As of early 2026, the Russo-Ukrainian war remains active, with ongoing discussions about ceasefires, territorial realities, security guarantees, and potential U.S./European roles in any settlement. Views differ sharply: some see it as a preventable tragedy of great-power competition; others as unprovoked aggression against sovereignty.
If this is a reference to Chando's book specifically, it's available on platforms like Amazon (e.g., as an eBook in the "UKRAINE: Conflict and Peace" series)."The Climax of the Beginning" is available as an Audible Audiobook, a Kindle edition, and a paperback book. The audiobook is 1 hour and 24 minutes long
Book 1 of 1: UKRAINE: Conflict and Peace | by Janvier T. Chando, Tisi Books, et al.
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