24th February 2022, Thursday, brought along a Russia-Ukraine war in the heart of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to initiate a military operation with explosions tragically lighting up the European country. This full-scale invasion has not only created the biggest security crisis but also destabilized provincial military alliances. Through the routes of air, land and sea, tanks and troops are rolling into cities across Ukraine towards the capital Kyiv launching an unprovoked invasion. President Joe Biden along with a few Western leaders claim this to be a violation of international laws and have announced novel, strict sanctions against the attack.
10. Past History Between The Nations
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Being a former part of the Soviet Republic, Ukraine has deep-seated cultural as well as social bonds with Russia. However, tensions brewed when the latter invaded the former in 2014 seizing large chunks of the east side. Crimea in the south was also annexed. This Russia-Ukraine war cost a devastating loss of 14,000 lives and consequently leading to the signing of the Minsk peace treaty.
9. Start Of The Recent Russia-Ukraine War
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The situation between the two nations took a turn in 2021 when Ukraine expressed a want to US President for joining NATO. This sent Russia into a spiral with troops being deployed on the Ukrainian border with the pretence of training. While the US sent out warnings against this, Russia demanded a legal declaration stating NATO not intervening with military activity.
8. Act Of Self-Defense Against NATO
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance having 30 member countries including several European Nations. Ukraine extended a wish to be part of this organization which Putin criticized. The Russian President depreciates NATO’s eastward expansion while the alliance claims it’s just for defence and not a threat for anybody. Putin stated thus the invasion was an attempt at protection.
7. Fear Of NATO’s Global Power
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Not only will Ukraine’s joining of NATO imply borders of Russia becoming more vulnerable but also has a bigger implication. Article 5 in Washington Treaty has the framework of imposing collective defence if any or several members are attacked. This might mean that Russia shall lose Crimea if military action is sanctioned.
6. Putin Considers Ukraine As A Part Of Russia
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The Russian President believes Ukrainians are unified with Russians culturally, linguistically, politically, spiritually and even so historically. According to him, the West has corrupted and forced a puppet identity on Ukraine misleading its purposes. They were ‘one nation’ and modern Ukraine is just a blueprint created by communist Russia.
5. Economic And Political Advantages To Russia
It’s an established fact that Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union communist family until its collapse in 1991. The geographical location bestows the country with rich minerals as well as fertile lands. As a result, this gives a strategic advantage. Along with that, Russia’s gas pipeline also crosses Ukraine leading to heaps of profit that cannot be sacrificed by Moscow.
4. Claims By Vladimir Putin Against Ukraine
The Russian leader has raised arguments defending his actions as an act of protection. He believes that ethnic Russians are subject to genocide in the Donbas region of East Ukraine. The Jewish president has goals of bullying, leading a Nazi regime. Consequently, he wants to shield this and lead towards ‘demilitarization and de-Nazification’.
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3. Ukraine Is A Part Of Russia
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On Monday, Putin orated a length monologue declaring how Ukraine was not a real country. Furthermore, he proclaims that the nation doesn’t have an authentic or sustainable statehood. Keeping aside the actual facts such as Ukraine overwhelmingly voting to break from the Soviet Union,the Russian head said it was actually permission granted by them.
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2. The Talk Of Nuclear Weapons
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Even though the failure of the Soviet Union led to Ukraine relinquishing all nuclear weapons, Putin has concerns. The government may be aiming towards acquiring some from the West-leading threats against Moscow. Despite US officials and NATO assuring no such strategies in play, Putin still believes this will be a humongous threat for Russia.
1. Desire To Build A Lost Empire
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There is news flying around globally even though Putin hasn’t been outright with it. Many think he’s trying to turn back time and start establishing the Russian empire again. Moreover, this will pull in not only Ukraine but various other countries such as Finland, Moldova, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia and many more.
Final Thoughts
The tensions from this Russia-Ukraine war will definitely affect the European Union. Moreover, this has pushed many signatories to join the US in soft diplomacy against Russia. Presently, the US has frozen assets of Russian banks and disrupted the functioning of Nord Stream 2 (gas pipeline). There doesn’t seem to be a diplomatic way out currently as Russia has said the only way talks will begin is if Kyiv accepts demilitarization and surrenders. Finally, West and East will discuss new treaties along with arms control.
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