Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?

The Ukraine crisis began after Russia invaded the country on the 24th of February 2014, and it was one of the major conflicts that Europe had faced since World War II. The war has brought about tremendous destruction, tens of thousands of deaths, and a significant humanitarian disaster. But what makes Russia invade Ukraine? To get the full picture, it requires looking at the various reasons like historical animosities, political interests, security interests, and economic factors.

Historical Context

Russia and Ukraine are here on our planet’s surface, their cultural and historical bonds are very deep, and we can even trace them to the coming of the medieval Kievan Rus, which is seen as their common root. Nevertheless, the movement of Ukraine toward independence from Russia made it a matter of the problem since the Soviet Union ceased to exist back in 1991. Ukraine was the one who became independent and the West was its targeted partner while Russia saw it as a threat. Then the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing armed conflict between the two were not enough, so relations further worsened (BBC).

NATO Expansion and Security Concerns

One of the main justifications of Russia for the invasion was the expansion of NATO, the Western military alliance. Russia has always been against NATO’s eastward expansion, as for the reason that it might create a situation of surrounding and weaken the strategic position of Moscow. Ukraine’s increasing cooperation with NATO and potential membership discussions have worried the Kremlin. The Russian President Vladimir Putin is persistently denying Ukraine’s accession to NATO, it being a direct threat to Russia’s security (The Guardian).

The Donbas Conflict and Ethnic Divisions

For over five years, the eastern area of Ukraine called Donbas has been a battleground of the two sides. The pro-Russian separatists who announced an independent Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, after the Ukrainian Revolution of that year, which ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, were supported by Russia, who provided military aid, training, and financial resources. One of the arguments of Russia was the defense of the ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians who were claimed by the Ukrainian government to have been oppressed and persecuted by them (Al Jazeera).

Putin’s Ideological Vision

In the view of the Russian President, Mr. Putin of the third kind, he rallies for “our own.” Triumphantly before the invasion, Putin explained the actuality that it is the West who exploits Ukraine against the Russian empire, trying to draw the world into conflict with the lies and deceits. He introduced the war as a goal to “denazify” Ukraine, a statement that experts and historians widely dismissed as blatant propaganda (Reuters).

Western Influence and Color Revolutions

Russia has found western countries, especially the United States, with their fingers in Ukraine’s business. The Orange Revolution in 2004 as well as the Euromaidan protest in 2014 were the ones that the West organized to replace the Kyiv government with a pro-democratic government, which is anti-Russian. In the Kremlin’s view, these include the encroachments of its sphere of influence and denial of the authoritarians’ basic rights of governance (Foreign Affairs).

Economic and Energy Factors

Ukraine has rich natural resources and gas transit to European countries that is used by Russia. One of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline’s main goals was to make Kyiv less strong and the European nations less dependent on Ukraine for the gas supplies. The conflict is considerably economic, with Russia pursuing the control of main industries and trade routes in Ukraine (Financial Times).

The Invasion and Global Reactions

The invasion that happened caused international condemnation resulting in severe economic sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine by NATO allies. Russia, not getting the swift victory it hoped for, faces a lot of resistance from Ukraine more than it thought, and if now is the time for a prolonged war. Further, the war has changed the world map, which is not just political, but also the balance of power has been altered (The New York Times).

Conclusion

The invasion that happened caused international condemnation resulting in severe economic sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine by NATO allies. Russia, not getting the swift victory it hoped for, faces a lot of resistance from Ukraine more than it thought, and if now is the time for a prolonged war. Further, the war has changed the world map, which is not just politica,l but also the balance of power has been altered.