MOSCOW: Will Russia attack Ukraine? Why has Russia sent troops to invade Ukraine? What does the rich nation of Russia covet from Ukraine? Fuel deposits or gem-gold mines? Mineral deposits? On what does Russia have its eyes on?

How many years do we have to go back in order to find the roots of Russian ambitions? The whole world has been asking the same questions for about a month now. Numerous answers were given for these questions. The Ukrainians clearly know everything. What is this Russian ambition? What is behind Putin’s invasion? Why did Russia hasten to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions as independent? Everything is explained here…

If Vladimir Putin is the sovereign ruler of Russia, then how did President Volodymyr Zelenskyy become the lifeblood of Ukraine? That is also explained, because nothing ends here.

Around 0.71 percent of the Ukrainians believe that their country is nearing war. There are a lot of complications behind the Russia-Ukraine crisis. In order to find answers to these questions, we need to refer the history. How many of you know that Ukraine’s capital Kyiv is more powerful than Russia’s capital Moscow? Kyiv was once stronger than Moscow. What is the real issue between Ukraine and Russia? Is this war, a mere creation of the media? Let’s examine.

The beginning of ninth century. Kievan Rus’, heavily populated by Slavs. Kyiv is the capital. During 980-1015, Kievan Rus’ was ruled by Grand Prince Volodymyr I. If it is Vladimir for the Russians, its Volodymyr for the Ukrainians. These are also the names of the current presidents of the two countries.

The Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians were once under this Slavic state. After centuries, Ukraine came under Russian rule. Later, Soviet Union was formed. At the time, Russia was the strongest power in the USSR. Right behind Russia stood Ukraine. Russia was leading in all areas such as the defense sector, nuclear weapon tests, agriculture, industry and many more. The Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, following the cold war. With this, Ukraine became an independent nation. But, Russia had its interest on capturing Ukraine because, back then, Ukraine was as strong as Russia, in terms of nuclear weapons and industries.

Let us have look at Ukraine’s nuclear inheritance

176 Intercontinental ballistic missiles

1249 Nuclear warheads

44 Strategic bombers

700 Nuclear tipped cruise missiles

2000 Tactical nuclear weapons

Moscow signed an agreement with Ukraine in 1994. It was agreed that Ukraine’s sovereignty would be preserved without damaging its reputation. Thus, Budapest Memorandum was signed along with Belarus, Kazakhstan, UK and US.

In November 2013, corruption allegations were raised against then Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych and riots began in the country. In the same year, Yanukovych rejected the European trade deal and went on to sign a 15-billion-dollar agreement with Russia.

The agreement was widely regarded by Ukrainians as President Viktor Yanukovych selling their country to Moscow. Huge riots erupted in the country. It came to be known in Europe as Euromaidan. The protesters had gathered at today’s Independent Square. While Russia fully supported the protest, the Westerners sided with the protesters. Finally, Yanukovych government fell in 2014. The president was forced to flee to Russia. This is commonly referred as the Ukraine revolution.

Crimea’s role in the Russia-Ukraine issue

Crimea is a peninsula located near the Black sea. In 1954, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev removed Crimea from Russia. When Ukraine became independent in 1991, Crimea sided with the nation. The peninsula was given autonomy. At the time, Russia had its military bases in Crimea.

Moscow assured that it will respect the autonomy of Crimea. The Russians had warned Crimea from joining Ukraine. But Crimea ignored the warnings. Thus, Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. The country conducted a referendum on March 16, 2014.

Was the referendum legal?

Huge conflicts erupted between Russia and Ukraine following the invasion. Russian troops invaded Ukraine. As a result, several marathon talks were held and the Minsk agreement was signed between the countries in 2014. But the agreement conditions were not followed.

Ukraine continued to remain the largest country in Europe after Russia. The country has a population of 44 million and a GDP of 155.6 billion dollars. Its per capita income is more than 3727 dollars.

Today, Ukraine is one nation, but is divided into East and West. The eastern Ukrainians are allied with Russia. There are two separatist regions in Ukraine namely Donetsk and Luhansk, which have been recently declared independent by Russia.

What does Putin really want?

Putin wants NATO to back down from its move to include Ukraine. NATO means the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a military alliance that was formed during the cold war. Ukraine wants to join the NATO. But, Putin wants Ukraine to remain as a Soviet nation. This is the story behind the conflict.

Another side is the internal politics. Putin has always wanted to keep Russia as a superpower. Nine out of ten people supporting Putin's move against Ukraine, is giving him immense confidence.

The current Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the biggest critique of Russia. Zelenskyy, who is highly critical of the Russian immigration to eastern Ukraine, had come to power in 2019 with a 73 percent majority.

Today, Zelenskyy is the lifeblood of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine want nothing but independence from Russia. However, the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has no feelings other than Russian imperialism. Let’s hope his dreams do not turn into reality. Let us wait and watch…