Russia and Ukraine, the Iron Slavic brothers of the East, were together through thick and thin. Now, the same countries, Europe’s largest and second largest respectively, are seeing increasing hostilities at their borders.
What exactly is the cause of this Russia-Ukraine standoff?
Well, this story dates back all the way to 2014, to the Euromaidan Revolution or the Revolution of Dignity, a series of violent escalations and protests that occured in the capital city of Kyiv in Ukraine.
Euromaidan Revolution
Ever since the secession from the USSR, the Ukrainian government has sought closer ties to the West. In the 2010 election, Viktor Yanukovych was elected as the President of Ukraine. Under President Yanukovych’s rule, the ties between Russia and Ukraine were warm and friendly. The government under President Yanukovych was supposed to sign an agreement with the European Union (EU) in 2012; however, the President kept delaying the signing which led to the presumption that the President was backing out from the deal, leading to massive outcry and protests in Kyiv. This was termed the Euromaidan Revolution or the Revolution of Dignity.
Outcome of the Euromaidan Revolution
This revolution led to the death of 130 civilians and 18 police officers. Eventually, later in the day, the Parliament declared that the President was to be relieved from his duties.
This act was considered as an illegal coup by Russia, and thus, they refused to recognize the interim government.
Meanwhile, across the Dnieper, the Southern and Eastern regions of Ukraine underwent a political turmoil where President Yanukovych enjoyed popularity, eventually resulting in Crimea joining Russia based on an illegal referendum, and the establishment of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic supported by Russia. [1]
The Ukrainian army almost managed to push the rebels to the international border; however, due to Russia’s interference and aid to the rebels, and rolling tanks on Ukraine’s sovereign territory, the pushback became relentless, and the clashes continued in the Eastern part of the country.
After the Euromaidan Revolution
The successive government led by Petro Poroshenko swore revenge on Russia and deemed them as terrorists while the international community has not acknowledged the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic.
A ceasefire called the Minsk Protocol was signed in 2014 in the Belarusian capital of Minsk; however, in 2017, heavy fighting broke out in the city of Avdiivka, and thus, the ceasefire was violated by rebel groups.
Current Situation
Under the current President Volodomyr Zelenski, another ceasefire was signed between the rebels and the Ukrainian government.
Between January and March, nearly twenty five Ukrainian army personnel were killed, compared to roughly 50 in the previous year. [2]
Russia began the movement of personnel and armoured vehicles into the nearby oblasts (counties) of Voronezh and Rostov, stating the reason as holding drills; however, they would interfere if any action threatened the Russian interest in Ukraine. “It wouldn’t be a shot on the leg but rather on the face.” [3]
According to most sources, this is the largest ever military build up on the Russo-Ukrainian border since 2014 when Crimea was forcefully incorporated into Russia. There are about 100,000 troops remaining at the border as of today. [4]Russia refused talks about the military build up when Ukraine asked for a conference.
International Reaction
NATO reacted by condemning the actions of Russia and included Ukraine in it’s NATO exercises called Defender Europe 21 to “demonstrate readiness and U.S. commitment to its allies in the Black Sea and Balkan regions.”
The foreign ministers of nearby Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia arrived in Kyiv as a show of solidarity and support claiming, “Ukraine will never be on its own and they stand with them as a show of support and solidarity.” [5]
NATO members like Germany and the U.S. urged the pullback of troops, but Russia refused to do so, citing the reason as them being only “defensive and posing no threat.” [6]
Conclusion
My take on this is, Russia should pull back its troops from the Ukrainian border and stop backing rebels, and instead allow peace and mutual coexistence. Forcing itself on eastern European countries would damage ties with the West further and delay actions on other important matters, such as the Syrian Civil war.
Article by-
Aditya Dixit
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