In light of the unrest in Ukraine, the question arises: Did Ukraine attack Russia? The foreign minister of Ukraine called the attack the “most blatant act of aggression in Europe since World War II.” Although many reasons are being put forward, none of them is conclusive. Experts attribute the tension to a complicated history between the two countries, tensions between Russia and NATO, and the ambitions of one man, Vladimir Putin.
The Russian military began increasing its presence around Ukraine and Belarus, a close ally to the north. Officials from both countries have been vague about their intentions. During the Christmas holidays, tens of thousands of Russian troops were stationed near the Ukrainian border and virtually encircling the country. That situation increased tensions. And if the Ukrainian government doesn’t respond, how will NATO react? Hundreds of thousands of Russian troops are stationed in the Baltic States, where it is allied with the United States.
The North Atlantic Council, the political decision-making body of NATO, activated its defense plans on Feb. 24. The NATO Response Force will be sent to Ukraine to support it. Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden had said before Russia’s attack that he would send more U.S. troops to Eastern Europe. However, he has since stated that he will not send U.S. troops into Ukraine. While the United States does not intend to invade Ukraine, it is still a necessary step to defend the region.
Earlier this year, Ukrainian authorities announced that they did not control Donetsk or Luhansk. They also raised the possibility of a Russian invasion. They reinstated conscription for the armed forces. In the month of May, the Ukrainian government began a new campaign to contain the separatists and secure key positions in the ETO zone. In August, the OSCE released a weekly update about Russian checkpoints in the area.
The Ukrainian government has not officially confirmed the claims. The country had declared its independence, and it has continued to fight Russia’s annexation of Crimea. On its own, this is a legitimate concern. The Russian military has withdrawn from the region. In addition, the Ukrainian army is being pushed out of the territory by the Russians. It is a travesty, as no one has escaped.
Despite the unpredictability of the attack, the news media and the public have speculated about the motives of the Ukrainian government. According to some reports, the military and the separatists in Donbass fought in a similar manner, as the Russian President has stated in numerous speeches and in the media. As a result, the news media has interpreted the incident as a rebuke of perestroika.
The Ukraine military has launched an offensive against the Russians, allegedly in retaliation for the Georgians’ annexation of the Ukrainian nation. The attacks also reverberate throughout the European continent. While the U.S. and Europe are not warring in a civil war, the United States and Europe continue to believe that the Russians are in a state of war. And most of these Westerners will probably continue the debate and blame Moscow for the conflict.
The Ukrainian government claims the attack was in response to an invasion by Russian troops. It has not been determined how it is possible to make such a claim, but the U.S. is coordinating with its NATO allies to stop the aggression. In other words, the U.S. and its NATO allies are doing what they can to deter any further aggression by either side. Did Ukraine attack Russia? Did it happen?
The unidentified men in green raise suspicions in the eastern Ukraine. They are dressed in green and have Russian accents. While Russia denies that it is invading the Ukraine, there is a strong likelihood that it is spies or a terrorist organization. Reuters’ article cited three sources: Apps, Maria and Christian, and Lowe, Giles and Tsvetkova. Both journalists and military officers said they had a difficult time confirming their claim.
While the Russian government has not admitted any involvement in the invasion, the Ukrainian government has claimed that it is sending fighters to the disputed region. Other analysts have said that the Russians are deliberately targeting the Ukrainian people, and the country has no military presence there. Both sides have claimed that the attacks are a response to the threat by Russia. They are armed with weapons and are threatening to invade the rest of the EU.