In recent days you may have heard the rumblings of a war with Russia over the nation of Ukraine. Over the past few weeks, Russia has amounted to a sizable force on the Ukrainian Border, some estimates stretch as high as 200,000 Russian soldiers. On a surface level glance, this seems to be nothing but another regional dispute, in some far-off country.
So why is this happening? The origins of this conflict are complicated, to say the least. And that, in large part, is because, for most of the 20th century, Russia and Ukraine were part of the same nation. From 1922 to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Russia and Ukraine were economically, militarily, and most importantly culturally ingrained into each other. At the same time, the U.S and its allies formed NATO. North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO was created to combat the Soviet Union and with the dissolution of the Soviet Union Ukraine was a free territory along with several other eastern European countries.
In the decades since, more and more of those countries have joined NATO and the European Union. This marks a definitive move west and out of Russia’s sphere of influence. Since 2000 alone 5 of Russia's long-time allies Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia have all joined NATO along with the 3 former Soviet States of, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Just decades ago the Soviet Union and by default Russia were a world superpower and now Russia's sphere of influence in Europe was on a steady decline.
This was catapulted even further with the deposition of Viktor Yanukovych, the president of Ukraine, and long-time Russian supporter. Following his deposition, Ukraine began to look west like many of its neighbors. In response, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and funded separatist groups in the eastern part of the country. Those separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have since been recognized as independent by Russia.
Nonetheless, Ukraine continued on its path westward. By 2019, 69% of Ukrainians were in favor of joining NATO and 58% of Ukrainians were in favor of joining the European Union.
Russia does not want Ukraine because of its vast resources or strategic position. It is Russia's last dying breath to maintain relevance over a region of the world that has only moved away from it in recent years. Russia's former closest ally in Ukraine joining an anti-Russian military organization puts Russia's relevance on the world stage into question and greatly weakens it. A loss in Ukraine nearly ensures the death of a super-power. Preserving a sphere of influence over the region is directly tied to the survival of Russia. At least in the eyes of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While Putin's willingness to go to war based on a declining influence might sound delusional, it's important to look to history. For centuries the powers of Europe took more and more land from Russia so, following World War 2 Russia held the land it conquered. Rather than meeting the rest of Europe in its lands, they had a buffer as far as Germany protecting them from invasion. After the fall of the Soviet Union, those same powers who once invaded Russia have allies against Russia and admitted multiple former Russian allies into said alliance stretching to Russia’s borders. While to the passing eye this seems like unhinged paranoia. However, this isn't ancient history. The last time it happened was only 81 years ago. Furthermore, considering the massive death toll the Russian populace underwent during the said conflict, to gain its sphere of influence which it is straining to maintain, Russia's hostility is all the more understandable.
Obviously being a student paper we can all go so far with information on the situation unfolding in Ukraine. If you would like to know more about the scenario as well as be aware of any new updates or escalations, These sources should provide more information if you’re interested:
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