The backstory
Ukraine was never much of an independent state, up until 1991 they were under foreign rule. Russia was the most recent ruler of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, believes that Ukraine is not an independent country, more of an attachment to Russia. Ukraine was a supposed threat to Russia’s national security which is the ultimate problem between the two. After the Soviet Union fell, Ukraine has been a toss-up for independence and created an adverse tension with Russia. The current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been working diligently to secure the country.
What and why?
Russia has set up a strong military force surrounding Ukraine, this includes tanks, artillery, and missiles. Ukraine wants to join NATO and Russia believes it will ruin its power. NATO will guarantee freedom and protection, a democratic solution to problems in peace efforts. In 2004, there was an election to determine the ruling of that territory, and Ukraine candidate Viktor Yanukovych originally had won but there was alleged voter fraud, he had control in 2010 but eventually lost it fully to Russia. They have been fighting for power, Russia typically winning. There was a profuse amount of bloodshed which was lessened in 2015 with a peace agreement. Quickly after, Russia made accusations toward Ukraine stating that they violated the treaty.
How is the United States involved?
The US has been assisting Ukraine since 2014, supplying them with $5.4 billion to help. The Biden Administration has accused Moscow, the Capital of Russia, of sabotaging Ukraine by using an attack as an excuse for violence towards Ukraine. Ned Price, a State Department spokesman gave the gist that there would be a falsified video to insight terror. In aid to Ukraine, the US has moved troops close to Ukraine in response to the Russian military surrounding the border, Russia’s troops are more than double of US troops in Europe which is 60,000. Russia has close to 130,00 near Ukraine. The US believes that publicity of this potential plan will hopefully alter what could possibly happen and lessen the international damage between foreign relations. There is no evidence that has been presented to the public to solidify the plan Russia may act on but that does mean you shouldn’t be cautious. These videos could potentially result in real war and invasions, it is a set-up.
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Economic Impacts
With a potential attack, Ukraine is preparing their economy in which health professionals have been gearing up, stores are being stocked, banks have their assets secure. It is believed that preparing for something that potentially won’t happen is affecting the economy, an already poor European country. Russia has taken everything from Ukraine which is why they are so weak. Many foreign relations have frozen their accounts on Ukraine in fear of a possible battle. No telling how much further damage they can sustain.