Russia and Ukraine are still at war. It began when pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine seized government buildings in protest at what they see as the central authorities’ inability to protect the region’s significant Russian-speaking population.
For several months the conflict has been confined to areas controlled by both countries’ separatists, but now that Moscow and kyiv are engaged in a full-scale offensive against Ukrainian positions in the east, it could soon escalate into an all-out military confrontation. . The Kremlin has said it is ready to support its army’s effort to recapture territory lost in 2014.
What have been the triggers for this latest escalation? How did Russia start this war and what can be done to end it? press play or close the browser window
The lowest point in Russian-Ukrainian relations
The war in Ukraine began in April 2014, when pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country seized regional government buildings in Donetsk and Lugansk and declared their independence. But the kyiv government put up little resistance and rebel leaders quickly lost control of the region. kyiv and the West responded with sanctions on Russian companies and individuals. In response, the Kremlin ordered the Russian military to launch a high-intensity bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities and military bases in the east.
At the same time, Russian state television began broadcasting an anti-Ukrainian message and supporting separatist paramilitary groups in the east. The Russian army also sent an increasing number of troops and tanks to support the rebels. These actions provoked the indignation of the Ukrainian people, who considered them as taking sides in their government’s conflict with the rebellion. The Kremlin agreed, saying it would not take sides in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
Involvement of the Russian military.
The Russians have used their military to support the separatists in the Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military has not given Moscow carte blanche when it comes to attacking civilians in the east. Russia has responded by attacking civilian areas in Ukraine, including industrial facilities, power grids and water supplies. Russia also bombed a Ukrainian city, Chernihiv, of 100,000 inhabitants.
What can be done to end the war?
For the sake of Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe, it would be prudent for all parties involved to refrain from making any further statements or taking any military action that might escalate the situation. What is needed is an effort to calm things down and negotiate a peaceful solution to end the war. The West should provide Ukraine with the necessary supplies and heavy weapons to help it fight the rebels and should also lift the economic sanctions it has recently imposed against kyiv.
The Russian government, for its part, should stop supporting the rebels and focus on ending the war. The Kremlin should also stop intimidating its own population and allow the Russian media to broadcast anti-Ukrainian programs. Western leaders should also lower their expectations for a quick resolution of the conflict and stop making promises they cannot realistically keep.
It’s Urgent: Stop Sending Weapons to Separatists
There are various factions fighting in eastern Ukraine and they all want to rule the country. The most important of these factions are the Ukrainian army and the pro-Russian separatists. Both sides are supported by the Russian army. If the Russian military is allowed to continue sending weapons to the separatists, the result will be disaster. The Ukrainian army, with its limited capabilities and poor leadership, would be unable to stop the march of Chinese and Vietnamese troops into Ukraine.
Piece by Piece: Standardize Relationships
The separatists and the Ukrainian government have signed a peace agreement, but it does not address the question of who will run the country and who will be in charge of security in the east. The only thing that prevents a full-scale war is the fact that one of the parties does not have the upper hand: the one that does not have the weapons. That part is the one with the hands. You must be able to accept control and be able to accept that one party does not have the advantage. If the parties do not agree, the war will continue.