Russia- Ukraine War

 

The Russo-Ukrainian war is an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. It began in February 2014 following the Ukrainian of Dignity, and initially focused on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. The first eight years included Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, as well as naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and political tensions. Following a Russian military build-up on the Russia-Ukraine border from late 2021, the conflict expanded significantly when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, 2022.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin described Russians and Ukrainians as “one nation” declaring the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR) in December 1991 as the “disintegration of historical Russia”. Putin believes that Ukraine's leaders are running an “anti-Russian project”. The Russian premier said the Russian military action aims to ensure a “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine and called on Ukrainian servicemen to lay down arms and leave the combat zone.

At the core of the current Ukraine crisis is Russia’s disapproval of the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in its neighborhood. Russia feels threatened by the rapid expansion of NATO since the late 1990s in the region. NATO and the former USSR were engaged in what was called the Cold War for about 45 years in the game of geostrategic one-upmanship.

India’s Stand- During a UNSC meeting in May 2021, India signaled its backing for traditional partner Russia on the Ukraine issue. India has advocated political and diplomatic solutions that protect the legitimate interests of all countries in the region and ensure long term peace and stability in Europe and beyond. The path forward can only be through peaceful dialogue for a lasting solution acceptable to all concerned. Last November India voted against a Ukraine-sponsored resolution in the UN that condemned alleged human rights violations in Crimea thereby backing old ally Russia on the issue.

In a video speech delivered early Friday, February 25, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 137 people had been killed, including troops and civilians, and that hundred more had been injured. On Day 33, Ukraine-Russia holds new talks in Istanbul aimed at ending the fighting.

Suhani Rai FYBA072

Suhanirai2817@gmail.com