These tensions between Russia and Ukraine have also increased the risk of war between the superpowers. The United States has already warned Russia of a possible war.
What exactly is the cause of tension between Russia and Ukraine?
What is the role of America? Russia-US stand against each other?
What is the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been high for months. A war-like situation has arisen in both countries. Russia has reportedly deployed 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border. Many countries, including the United States, have expressed fears that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time.
The possibility of war between Russia and Ukraine also seems to be growing. It is against this backdrop that the United States has instructed its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. There are also reports that the US is evacuating its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine.
These tensions between Russia and Ukraine have also increased the risk of war between the superpowers. The United States has already warned Russia of a possible war. Britain and Canada have also begun delivering military aid and munitions to Ukraine.
Why Russia-Ukraine Tensions?
Ukraine is bordered by Europe to the west and Russia to the east. Ukraine was a member state of the Soviet Union until 1991. However, tensions between Russia and Ukraine began in 2013.
Protests against the then-President Viktor Yanukovych began in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, in November 2013. Yanukovych was backed by Russia, while the United States and Britain backed the protesters. In February 2014, it was time for Yanukovych to flee the country.
Outraged, Russia annexed Crimea in southern Ukraine. He also supported the separatists here. Separatists have seized large swathes of eastern Ukraine. Since then, pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting.
Crimea is the same peninsula that was gifted to Ukraine in 1954 by Nikita Khrushchev, the supreme leader of the Soviet Union. When Ukraine seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991, there were frequent clashes between the two over Crimea.
Western countries came forward to establish peace in both countries. In 2015, France and Germany also signed a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement in Minsk, Belarus. A ceasefire was agreed upon.
But why the tension?
- Ukraine is trying to improve relations with the West because of Russia. Russia is against it. Despite not being a member, Ukraine has good relations with NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 to oppose the Soviet Union.
Thirty countries, including the United States and Britain, are members of NATO. According to the agreement, if a third country attacks any member state of the alliance, all NATO member states will come together and fight it.
Russia, on the other hand, wants NATO to halt its expansion in Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last week that the use of Ukrainian territory by Russia against Russia would have repercussions. Russia has no right to interfere in the process, NATO said.
Ukraine is trying to join NATO. Russia fears that if Ukraine becomes part of NATO and another war breaks out, the leading nations may turn against it. Under such circumstances, the threat of World War III has increased.
What is the current situation?
In April last year, Russian troops began training near the Ukrainian border. When tensions escalated, war games were called off. But there are still more than 100,000 Russian troops stationed on the Ukrainian border. According to US intelligence, Russia could launch a military strike on Ukraine at any time.
Britain has begun supplying anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. Canada also sent special forces. The first shipment of weapons was sent from the United States to Ukraine. According to reports, the United States has sent 90 tons of military equipment to Ukraine, including dangerous weapons.
The US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also put pressure on Russia over its decision to provide military force to Ukraine. Accordingly, NATO has begun sending fighter jets and warships to Eastern Europe.