What gives rise to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia?
The recent war between Russia and Ukraine is a result of several factors. These include the victory of the Russian military over Ukrainian forces, the president of Russia’s decision to grow the nation’s military, and NATO’s expansion.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has increased the stakes in the battle between his country and Ukraine. His goal is to increase Russian dominance over the eastern Ukrainian Donbas region. He asserts that the protection of local Russian speakers is his primary goal.
Major cities have been subjected to indiscriminate attacks by the Russian military. According to the Pentagon, 2,000 and 4,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in the line of duty. On March 2, the Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the deaths of 500 Russian soldiers in combat.
Additionally, the Russian government changed the law to make it more difficult for civilians to opt out of the military. Additionally, these revisions impose severe penalties for failing to report for duty.
Additionally, the Russian president announced the deployment of 300,000 reserve soldiers to the front lines. Putin asserts that this is being done to protect Russian state security.
The fighting intensified almost eight months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia has tried to annex Kyiv and other eastern provinces but has been unsuccessful. Right now, Russia’s main priorities are two significant eastern areas.
Ukrainians are putting up determined opposition in response. It is now an attrition-based conflict. Russia has committed rape and slaughtered thousands of civilians in Ukraine. Ukraine’s resources have also been reduced, and Russia has restricted its access to the sea.
International humanitarian law has been proven broken throughout the Ukraine war. The indiscriminate use of explosive weapons has resulted in most civilian deaths. Shells, missiles, and explosives are some of them.
One of Europe’s worst conflicts in recent memory began due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So far, more than 13,000 people have died.
Despite several significant successes for Ukraine, the conflict with Russia is far from done. There have been countless deaths in Ukraine. Russia’s inability to strike the Ukrainian army with a decisive blow has caused the fight to stagnate. The likelihood of Russia gaining long-term dominance over Ukraine is dwindling.
In the event of a Ukrainian triumph, Russia would have to either back down or make a concession. Without either, Ukraine would probably have to struggle for its independence. The Russian army has lost significant numbers of soldiers and equipment. In addition, the Russians have not followed through on their commitments to retake Donbas.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is not developing as Putin had hoped. Although the Minsk II cease-fire deal was a significant accomplishment, it also jeopardized Ukraine’s sovereignty. It required the Ukrainian government to give occupied territories in its country a unique status. Additionally, it would grant Moscow veto power over Ukraine’s foreign policy.
The growing desire of Ukrainian citizens to join the European Union (EU) and NATO is one of the things that is causing the tension between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has recently pushed for membership in the two Western organizations.
Russia has long attempted to regain control over former Soviet Union states and expand its sphere of influence there. Putin has frequently praised the long-standing bond between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin’s objectives, however, go beyond preventing Ukraine from joining the EU or NATO. He has also promised to reclaim an empire in some form. He has interfered with the political process in Ukraine.
The first presidential election in Ukraine after its independence revealed pronounced divisions between the eastern and western parts of the nation. During the conflict, some Ukrainian residents supported rebels in the Donbas region. Others joined forces with the administration, which received financial support from Russia.
Contrary to its name, NATO expansion has faced fierce opposition throughout post-Cold War Europe. NATO extends membership to any European nation meeting a set of requirements. Eastern Europe has seen an increase in the alliance’s military footprint. Wargames in Poland and the Baltic countries are included in this.
The Russian government is not the only one who doubts the viability of NATO membership. The Right Sector and other extreme far-right political organizations have operated in Ukraine. They have occasionally incited violence against police and other protesters.
Vladimir Putin, the president, has been open in his opposition to NATO encroachment on Russian territory. He says it’s not in Russia’s best interests. Additionally, he emphasizes how the West betrayed its commitment to uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He has also voiced similar complaints to Western authorities.
