A Comprehension of why Putin wants Ukraine
President Biden addresses the White House Press Corps outside of the Oval Office on the South Lawn of the White House on November 8, 2021 (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).
The United States and other NATO countries continue to keep an eye on what Putin does while also holding more meetings to dissuade Putin from starting a bloody war and reach a diplomatic settlement instead. No one knows what Putin will do.
Article by Garrett Whitton, Junior White House Correspondent
WASHINGTON - The world has been monitoring every move that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made amid a military standoff at the Russia-Ukraine border. The United States and its NATO allies fear Russia could invade at any moment. Ever since Ukraine secured independence from the Soviet Union back in 1991, there has been stirring and ongoing drama between it and Russia. To understand why a standoff is underway, a comprehension of why Putin wants the European country must be addressed.
Putin desires his neighboring country because he wishes to have a say in its future and geopolitical direction. He believes that the citizens of Ukraine and Russia are somewhat similar and that there should be unity among themselves. Looking at the issue from a more political standpoint, Putin wants Ukraine so that they will have no choice in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This military alliance that is made up of 30 countries strives to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. If the country does join the alliance, Russia will never acquire it and will be threatened by NATO’s power along the long border the two countries share. Trade mediums and increased territory are among other reasons why Russia wants Ukraine. In 2014, Russia successfully annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine, allowing more port access. Putin and his country have since taken steps to prepare for a possible invasion to annex the rest of Ukraine.
In recent years, Putin has felt like his mission to take the country has been executed weakly as Ukraine has been increasingly supported by NATO member countries both militarily and politically. So, he has put his foot down and responded more aggressively the past few months.
In late 2021, satellite imagery was obtained showing a mass build-up of Russian troops along the shared border. Moreover, the troops have brought plenty of military hardware with them, suggesting they are preparing for some sort of action. Shortly after the images came out, the United States, a member of NATO, warned Putin that economic sanctions will be placed on his country if he decides to invade Ukraine. In response, Putin devised a list of demands he wants the West to yield to, including a stoppage of all military action in eastern Europe and that Ukraine or any former Soviet Union country will be a part of NATO.
On behalf of the United States and other NATO countries, President Biden reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US will “respond decisively” if an invasion occurs. Zelensky has said that foreign powers have begun to worry Ukrainians over something he believes may not happen, considering Russia has threatened his country before. In turn, this has disturbed their economy. But, contrary to his belief, the Kremlin says their threat is “imminent and constant” as they continue to prepare Russian troops along the border.
To be cautious, the United States has sent arms and ammunition to Ukraine and has also sent troops to its eastern flank to defend nearby NATO allies. The United States has no treaty obligation to protect Ukraine, but some neighboring NATO countries think military aid is necessary because they are worried they are next on Putin’s list. As a result, other NATO countries have put their troops on standby and have sent ships and fighter jets to the area.
Meetings between diplomats have occurred to try to reach a compromise. However, in January 2022, Biden warned that an invasion is becoming more likely to happen. In addition, China, an enemy of the US, has backed Russia, saying that Moscow’s requests should be taken seriously.
Nonetheless, Putin believes he is still being ignored. By early February, around 70% of military power needed to invade has been set up along the border, but Putin denies any plan to do so. However, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, says US intelligence shows an invasion could happen at any moment.
Russia has claimed it has pulled back some of its troops, but a senior Biden administration official has said they have lied and have instead placed an additional 7,000 troops along the border.
“We continue to see critical units moving toward the border, not away from the border,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview on Wednesday. “There’s what Russia says, and then there’s what Russia does. We haven’t seen any pullback of its forces.”
The United States and other NATO countries continue to keep an eye on what Putin does while also holding more meetings to dissuade Putin from starting a bloody war and reach a diplomatic settlement instead. No one knows what Putin will do.