Ukraine War
The Origin and Background of the Ukraine War
The contemporary conflict in Ukraine, often dubbed as the Ukraine War, originated in the year 2014, following a sequence of political and civil disturbances. The turmoil broke out in wake of the government's abrupt decision to abandon an association agreement with the European Union, prompting widespread protests. In a web of complex issues and influences, Russia's annexation of Crimea and the subsequent support for separatists in eastern Ukraine played a significant role.
The Ukraine War is broadly divided into two main phases: The annexation of Crimea by Russia, and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The Annexation of Crimea
The first phase began when the Russian Federation, in 2014, executed a military intervention in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a territory previously under Ukrainian administration.
This lightning-fast transition of power indicated by a widely disputed, yet speedy, referendum is recognized by many as one of the major flashpoints in Russia's relationship with the West.
The Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
Following the annexation of Crimea, pro-Russian sentiments were stirred in certain regions in Eastern Ukraine, notably in Donetsk and Luhansk. The intensified disagreement between these regions and the central Ukrainian government led to the declaration of self-proclaimed independent territories. This eventually culminated in the escalation of full-scale conflict amidst the backdrop of a geopolitical chess game involving interests of Russia, Ukraine, and Western powers.