Putin’s War: Why Russia is Destroying Ukraine
Here’s a article on Russia and Ukraine. I’m just doing this to show you what is going on with the whole thing and where people should be pointing fingers at, as well as when there are events missing in order for you to dig up yourself.
Viktor Yakunovych was the first democratically elected president of Ukraine and has been in power since 2010. This election led to many changes including a new constitution, vast economic reforms, democratization of society and peacekeeping efforts with Russia. The West (US & EU) were not happy with these events because they saw that he had too much support from Russia as well as his policies being very pro-Russian when compared to Western countries like America who wanted less influence on Ukraine’s affairs.
Before Yakunovych’s election, Ukraine had a free trade deal in the pipeline with the EU. But even after his victory, Yakunozy refused to sign that agreement which would have brought Ukrainian closer ties with Europe and away from Russia.
In November 2013, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland led the US in fostering a revolution that occurred in Ukraine. The name of this revolution was Euromaidan. In December 2014, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown by his own government after he refused to sign an EU trade treaty with Russia called the Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Europe which would have seen Russia lose 4% (6 billion Euros) worth of its economy because it is dependent on low-cost energy supplies from Russia.
On 20th February 2014, leaders in eastern Ukraine declared their allegiance to Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. This led to anti-government protests in that region on the 24th of February and a referendum on Crimea where 97% of respondents voted for Russia’s annexation from Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea from its neighboring country, which it did in March 2014.
The new government proposed a Bill to remove Russian as an official language in Ukraine. Some of those who are ethnic Russians were angered because they felt that their lives would be endangered by this decision, while others disagreed with the idea and said they see no reason why Russian shouldn’t remain as an official language.
In April 2014, Russia started to support eastern Ukraine (Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Odessa) who demanded independence from Ukraine.
In the month of April 2014, predominantly Russian-speaking regions in Eastern Ukraine declared their independence from the government.
In early 2014, Russia started performing military exercises on its eastern Ukrainian border just as NATO was doing the same in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — all of whom share borders with Russia.
In September 2014, Ukraine and Russia signed ceasefire agreements in Minsk to end hostilities in the ongoing conflict over east Ukraine.
Since 2014, battles have continued between Ukrainian forces and Luhansk and Donetsk separatists over territory in the Donbas region in violation of the agreements.
Just like the armed conflict, sanctions imposed by Europe and America on Russia also caused economic damage. In 2016 alone, it is estimated that Russia has lost $600 billion as a result of these embargoes.
In March 2021, Russia ordered the Russian military to mobilise troops near its border with Ukraine and in Crimea. This caused the EU countries to lose about “3.2 billion dollars a month” due to sanctions from that point on until December 2025 when President Putin was finally sanctioned for this breach of international law by all European governments at once.
Putin has deployed vessels to the Black Sea, in order to observe US ships. He said these are a “serious challenge,” and added that they do not trust Washington’s intentions.
In November 2021, the Russian Ministry of Defense said “The real goal behind the US activities in the Black Sea region is exploring theater of operations in case Kyiv attempts to settle war by force.
From mid-January, 2022, the US began announcing that Russia would invade Ukraine. They stated that an attack could begin before the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.
On 22 January, NATO deployed forces to the region and began providing weapons including anti-armor missiles and other US-made weapons to Ukraine. The US delivered 90 000 kg of lethal weapons on that date as well.
In February, the United States sent soldiers to boost NATO’s presence in Europe, along with F-15 fighter jets to Romania. The British also deployed troops and aircrafts.
On 21 February, these self-proclaimed republics in Ukraine asked Putin to recognize their independence. On that same day, he agreed and ordered troops be sent there.
On 22 February, Boris Johnson announced sanctions on Russian banks and individuals. Germany announced that it had suspended the certification process of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The EU foreign ministers blacklisted all Russians who voted in favour of recognizing breakaway regions in Ukraine
Ukraine has asked to join NATO, which Russia strongly opposes because it could mean their bases would be next to the Russians.
