Editor’s Note 2/28/2022: The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is ongoing. As a result, this coverage presents the conflict prior to the Feb. 24, 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

The Current Conflict 

Russia began sending military personnel and equipment to the Ukrainian border in October 2021, causing the Ukrainian government concern about a potential Russian invasion. In December 2021 the Russian government demanded that Ukraine not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization union and requested NATO to withdraw a significant number of NATO troops from Eastern Europe. The Biden administration ordered 3,000 troops to the neighboring countries of Poland and Romania Feb. 17, stating that they would not enter Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022.

Background 

Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a deal to join the European Union in November 2013 causing a number of protests in the region. Yanukovych fled the country in February 2014 after a coup.

Russian troops take control of the Crimean region and formally move to annex it in March 2014. Russian President Vladamir Putin defends the annexation, stating the need to protect the rights of Russian citizens and Russian speakers in Crimea and the southeast region of Ukraine after a series of protests that claimed the lives of 103 protesters and 13 police.

This conflict continues to the present day with additional incidents occurring over the years. A Malaysian Airlines plane was shot down in Ukraine in September 2016, killing all 298 people on board. An independent investigation led by the Public Prosecution Service of the Dutch Ministry of Justice determined that it was caused by a Russian defense system that fired missiles at the plane. NATO deployed battle stations throughout Eastern Europe in April 2016 to deter further Russian aggression. The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv experienced blackouts throughout December 2016 that were believed to be caused by Russian interference. Ukraine’s government experienced a high scale cyber attack from Russia in June 2017 that reportedly cost the country billions in damages and losses.

The Trump administration imposed various sanctions on Russia and further increased U.S. aid to Ukraine. Ukraine began to consider joining the NATO alliance in October 2018. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected April 2019.

The American Perspective 

The U.S. involvement in this conflict revolves around the desire to have Ukraine join the NATO alliance which now encompasses 30 members. Since the Cold War, U.S. relations with Russia have been complex. The U.S has financially invested in Ukraine over the past 10 years as it is a growing ally to the west. There is also growing concern among U.S. officials that if Russia does seek to invade Ukraine, they may also desire invading further into Eastern European territory.

The European Perspective 

While Ukraine does not have membership in the European Union, it does share a border with two members; Poland and Romania. The European Union members are supportive of their NATO allies but differ on how the conflict will continue. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has supported U.S. efforts to deter Russia from invading and has been talking with President Joe Biden on what should be done.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Putin Feb. 15 to discuss Ukraine and the EU; Scholz reiterated his support of NATO. Scholz has also been criticized for his response to Russia.

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron sought face-to-face dialogues with President Putin. While Macron is critical of NATO, he continues support diplomatic efforts to not incite a war with Russia in Eastern Europe. 

The Russian Perspective 

Russia has claimed that they have no plans to invade Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin remains willing to speak to foreign leaders at this time. Putin has accused the West of escalating the conflict by causing widespread panic. Russia also wishes to deter the U.S. and NATO from expanding further into what was previously Soviet territory. Russia sees no reason to remove its 100,000 troops from Russian border territory as it has performed similar exercises in April 2021.

The situation is similar to the Crimean annexation where Russia saw a region that was politically divided and sought out to bring stability in the region. At the time of annexation, 41% of Crimeans were pro-Russian union.

Growing concerns

There is growing concern that conflict in the region will escalate into a war between Ukraine and Russia with allies of both nations. Ukrainian officials fear that Russia is attempting to regain control of previous Soviet Union territory and will continue to invade after conquering Ukraine. The resulting war would likely cause sanctions on Russia from NATO allied countries and Russian countersanctions on NATO members.

While sanctions on Russian goods would not affect the U.S. significantly there would be economic repercussions for most European nations. This could cause global market instability and eventually affect other countries that are not allied to Russia or the U.S. There is also a concern of causing a refugee crisis in neighboring European countries. The Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski has stated that they are ready to receive an influx of refugees.

This is an ongoing conflict and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

For more information:

President of Ukraine – on strengthening the state’s defense capabilities :

Original Source: Office of the President of Ukraine via Youtube.

 

Additional Resources:
The increasingly complicated Russia-Ukraine crisis, explained – Vox

Four maps that explain the Russia-Ukraine conflict – The Washington Post

How do Ukrainians in Russia feel about the crisis? – Al Jazeera

University of Chicago Professor of Political Science John J. Mearsheimer on the Ukraine conflict in 2016: