Early Thursday morning Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, declared war and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, Donbas, and other cities near the frontline and along the country’s coast, witnessed mass explosions and bombings by Russian forces.
How did we get here?
Credit: Nick Underwood/NPR
2013: Coup or Revolution?
The then pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych announced he would opt to re-establish economic links with Russia rather than a deal for economic integration with the European Union. Subsequently, mass protests spread across Ukraine, which led Yanukovych to flee to Russia and the formation of a new pro-West government.
2014: Russian Lands?
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine’s Crimea and occupied the Crimean Peninsula after Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation. The referendum was deemed “illegitimate” by the EU, Western countries, and a UN General Assembly resolution.
- Two months later, pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions (Donbas) declared the two regions independent republics.
- In response to Russia’s occupation of Crimea, NATO unanimously suspended cooperation with Russia.
2015: Accords
France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine attempted to mediate a ceasefire to end the tensions between Ukraine and Russia through the Minsk Accords. The Accords brought about the removal of heavy weapons and full control of the Ukrainian government over the conflict zone; however, there have been repeated violations of the agreement since.
Credits: The Moscow Times
2017
An association agreement between Ukraine and the EU opened markets for free trade of goods and services and visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainians.
2021: The Demands
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the current President of Ukraine, appealed to Biden to allow Ukraine to join NATO. Later that spring, Russia amassed a large number of troops near Ukraine’s borders, ostensibly for training exercises. Similarly, the US sent troops to Ukraine.
Since 2021, the conflict has been significantly escalating. The West has been alarmed by Russia’s moves and warned of imposing sanctions in the case of an invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian government argues that Ukraine’s joining NATO allows for greater Western influence in the region and has been demanding legal guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO. It laid out three demands of the Ukrainian government: (1) sovereignty over Crimea, which, in 2014 Russia recognized as historically Russian, (2) abandonment of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, and (3) partial demilitarization.
What is happening now?
Last week, Putin declared Russia’s recognition of Donbas’ independence on national television and described Ukraine as an integral part of Russia’s history.
On Wednesday, February 23, Putin announced in his speech that a “special military operation” would begin in Ukraine. Putin explains the attack is necessary to protect Russian citizens in Donetsk and Luhansk from the killing and bombing launched by the Ukrainian forces. His speech clarified that he believes Ukraine is a country that resides on historically and legally Russian territory.
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
On February 24th, enormous explosions were reported in Kyiv before daybreak, Ukraine’s capital, and Kharkiv, the country’s northeastern city. Ukrainian president Zelenskyy declared martial law across the country, accusing Russia of attacking military infrastructure. Several nations have announced further measures against Russia, including the United States and Australia. Zelenskyy comforted his people, saying,
“We are working. The army is working. Don’t panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will defeat everyone. Because we are Ukraine.”
A direct clash between the United States and Russia in Ukraine would be disastrous for both sides. A full-fledged conventional war could devolve into a nuclear conflict. Even a limited war would cause a devastating global economic crisis, obliterating any prospect of genuine action against climate change for the foreseeable future.
Latest Updates
- Neighboring countries are taking in Egyptians, in facilitation with the Egyptian embassies and authorities.
- The European Union declared it will spend €450 million on weapons and equipment for Ukraine.
- Peace talks are being proposed by China; however, the US attempted to block them.
- Ukraine and Russia agree to negotiate at the Belarus border.
What will happen next?
Many questions remain up in the air… will there be a ceasefire?
How will this affect the World, and what does this mean to Egypt?
