Why Putin Wants Ukraine

Summary

Russia's impending invasion of Ukraine stems from geopolitical tensions and historical ties, exacerbated by Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and the subsequent military support from Western countries, which Russia views as a threat to its security.

Abstract

The article discusses the underlying reasons for Russia's aggressive stance towards Ukraine, a nation that declared independence in 1991 and has since fostered closer ties with Western nations. The ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president in 2014 and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russian-backed separatists have led to ongoing conflict, with significant loss of life and displacement. Russia's primary concern is Ukraine's intention to join NATO, which would bring the alliance to its borders. Putin has demanded an end to NATO's eastward expansion and military activities in Eastern Europe, seeking to restore the pre-1997 military balance. The article suggests that Russia's ultimate goal is to dismantle the anti-Russian governance in Ukraine, reunifying it with Russia to create a protective buffer zone against Western influence and potential military threats.

Opinions

Ukraine's shift towards Western alliances and market economies has created deep internal divisions and international tensions with Russia.
The annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas are direct consequences of the power struggle between pro-Russian and pro-Western factions within Ukraine.
Russia perceives Ukraine's potential NATO membership as a direct threat to its national security, prompting demands for the retraction of NATO forces from Eastern Europe.
Putin's demands are rooted in a desire to re-establish a sphere of influence reminiscent of the era before NATO's eastward expansion in the 1990s.
The article implies that Russia is preparing for potential conflict under the guise of defensive measures, while also seeking to avoid punitive sanctions from the West.

The reasons behind Russia’s impending invasion

The country of Ukraine declared independence in August of 1991 after the crumbling of the Soviet Union. It moved to a market economy and established new allegiances with western nations. Due to strong social and cultural ties with Russia within Ukraine’s population, this has created great tensions.

Things escalated after Ukrainians deposed their pro-Russian president in early 2014, resulting in Russia backing separatists who annexed Crimea which is the southern peninsula in Ukraine. This has resulted in skirmishes at the border ever since with 14,000 lives being lost and over two million residents fleeing their homes in Donbas.

The main reason behind the uncertainty of a possible invasion is Ukraine’s plans to join NATO. Russia is scared to have NATO expanding right up to their doorstep and therefore it is absolutely mandatory to ensure they never become a member. Furthermore, Russia is unhappy with Ukraine being pumped with weapons and technology by western superpowers.

All this tension being created has caused Putin to demand that no more eastward expansion of NATO and an end to military activity in Eastern Europe. The demands mean that combat units would need to be pulled out of Poland and the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with missiles that are deployed in Poland and Romania being retreated. In essence Putin wants to restore the balance of forces pre 1997 as was promised to Russia in the 1990s.

In terms of what to do with Ukraine as a country is to get rid of the anti-Russian project being run by the current government and restore it into one nation with Russia like it used to be when part of the USSR. This will mean that Russia will created a buffer zone in front of its borders protecting itself from invasions and intelligence operations.

Russia claims that no attack or invasion will come but instead they will appropriate retaliatory military-technical measures as a result of the West’s aggressive approach. In essence they are blurring the lines and looking for any excuse to go to war whilst at the same time trying to look innocent and trying to escape any sanctions.