The Ukraine war started on February 24, 202,2, when Russia attacked its next-door neighbour, Ukraine, in the name of a special military operation. By attacking Ukraine, Russia brought war back to Europe after eight decades. Russia’s main argument in favor of war is that if Ukraine became a NATO member, its security would be vulnerable. Their other argument is the oppression and killing of Russian-speaking eastern Ukrainians who want to integrate with Russia. The Ukrainians claimed that the Russians’ allegation is baseless, that if they were to become a NATO member country, they would threaten the security of Russia.
Since the beginning of this conflict, in the heart of Europe, hundreds of thousands of people, from both sides died. After three years of bloodshed, people around the world, including US President Donald Trump, want to stop the war immediately.
How long will this war continue? History tells us that all wars end at some point. The recent Ukraine war is no exception. However, this war may not finish soon, though it may not turn into a perennial one. This war may turn into a permanent war or a war forever because the two warring parties, the Russians and the collective West, led by America, appear not to give up their respective interest.
The Russians’ two main points for the war are to save the lives of Russian-speaking Eastern Ukrainian people and prevent Ukraine from becoming a NATO member country… However, the major European powers, including the U.K., Germany, and France, and of course the main backer of Ukraine in this war, America, believed otherwise. The West is fairly convinced that the Russians’ main objective is to capture the entire Ukraine first, and then proceed to invade other Eastern European countries one by one, as they did during the golden time of communism.
The West’s suspicion of the Russians is also not without proof. In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea. After three years into the Ukraine war, despite NATO’s full support, Russia has occupied one-fifth of Ukraine and is slowly advancing to occupy more. If Western powers withdraw their support for Ukraine, Russia will perhaps invade the entire Ukraine in six months. If it captures Ukraine in this way, who knows, will it not advance further?
Ukraine also has significant geopolitical Interest. Occupying this country by the Russians means they will control billions of dollars worth of business worldwide. Ukraine is also one of the world’s major wheat, barley, corn, and maize producers. The West feels that losing Ukraine to the Russians means there is no tomorrow for them in terms of economy and security.
The Russians’ fear is also no less important. Ukraine has hundreds of miles of border with Russia. If it became a NATO member country, American or German missiles would be installed at the doorstep of Russia, making its security so vulnerable.
The Russians have another point to support their claim that the West, especially America, had a long-term plan to invade at least a part of their country. In 2014, there was a pro-Russian government in Kyiv. However, it was overthrown by an American-orchestrated coup. The Americans then installed a pro-Western government. The current Zelensky government wants to become an EU and NATO member soon. How does the Russian leadership feel secure if there were a NATO member right at their doorstep?
Since both sides have deep mistrust between them as well as significant trade interests, there is no silver lining that Ukraine war in Ukraine will come to an end soon.
