by Zach Lozevski
The uncertainty of Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine has led many to panic, but most are not worried about what happens in the end. We should be more focused on what the future prospects of what this invasion is going to be. While it may seem that Vladimir Putin (Russia) just wants to expand his borders, it serves as a virtue of geopolitical, militarized, and strategic reasons in the long run.
For most of history, Ukraine and Russia have been closely interconnected, like brothers, almost indistinguishable. While most notably Ukraine’s connection with Russia was in the USSR, the history dates way further than that (>1000 years.) To begin, in the 9th & 13th centuries, Ukraine and Russia used to be united under the First East Slavic State, or ‘Kievan Rus’, this federation was centered around Vikings and the trade center capital of ‘Kyiv’ as we know as of today. Later it fell to other countries but finally came under annexation of the Russian Empire again in the early 18th century. Ukraine fought for its independence for the first time in a civil war in 1917 but was short-lived to the Bolsheviks (Soviet Communist revolutionaries) squashing rebellion in 1919. For the second time in 1991, succeeding the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared independence under western influences of nationalism. After that, Russia has still had a strong influence on the Ukrainian government with multiple allegations of corruption and election fraud.
Putin feels as if Ukraine belongs to him as the common shared past both countries have; additionally, Russia and Ukraine share religious history, as both are predominantly Orthodox Christian. “Ukraine is not just a neighboring country, it is an inalienable part of our history, culture and spiritual space. They are our comrades, friends and … moreover, relatives, people united by blood ties,” said Putin in his speech. Putin has also used state media to influence and manipulate the fact that Ukraine belongs to Russia.
Putin said in his own words that Ukraine remains, “a constant threat.” Putin is not scared of Ukraine itself, but fears of Ukraine joining NATO. For those unfamiliar with NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military pack made of multiple western countries such as America, Canada, Britain, and Germany. If any one member country is attacked, then they will be ordained to be at war against all member nations. Hypothetically if Ukraine was able to join NATO, they would be heavily supplied with NATO forces allowing for a quick invasion of Moscow in any sort of act of hostility by Russia. Putin took Ukraine not for more land, but to protect his borders in case of a future conflict such as WWIII.
Overall, Putin desires possibly further expansion of Russia in Eastern Europe and wants to make sure that there are no obstacles in his path. Having Ukraine can be a great asset for Russia, economically due to its high resources, geopolitically due to its extended access to central Europe and the Black Sea, and militarily to have active standby forces.
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