The multiverse theory is among the most fascinating recent developments in the field of theoretical physics. There may be other universes: some very similar to ours, but also some very different. Those universes may also coexist and even complement each other in ways we still cannot access. While some theoretical physicians hypothesize that different universes may clash, or destroy one another; others contend that they may merge, coexist, or just become something new. Political Scientists made similar speculations on what would happen when two universes of nuclear weapons politics meet one another. This is exactly what seems to have happened now: Two worlds of international nuclear politics are coming to light in two international conferences and now seem to exist side by side.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, there has been much talk of a “turning point”, of the failure of diplomacy and the end of trusting relations with Russia. If we want to draw lessons from the current situation for a different, more peaceful future, then it is essential to look at how it could happen, that the Ukraine and “the West” is held in such low esteem, not only by President Putin but also by many inside and outside Russia. The answer is to be found in the instrumentalization of gender stereotypes.

Seit Ausbruch des Ukraine-Kriegs ist viel von „Zeitenwende“ die Rede, vom Versagen der Diplomatie und dem Ende vertrauensvoller Beziehungen zu Russland. Wenn wir aus der jetzigen Situation Lehren für eine andere, friedlichere Zukunft ziehen wollen, dann ist auch ein Blick darauf notwendig, wie es so weit kommen konnte, dass die Ukraine und „der Westen“ nicht nur vom russischen Präsidenten Putin so geringgeschätzt werden, sondern diese Sichtweise auch von vielen innerhalb und außerhalb Russlands geteilt wird. Eine Antwort liegt in der Instrumentalisierung von Geschlechterstereotypen.