Summary of Russia Ukraine war 2022
Russia Ukraine conflicts :- The war between Russia and Ukraine started on 24 February 2022. There are many reasons for Russia and Ukraine war. The conflicts between the two countries have been going on for many years.
On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognized two separate regions in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, as independent states, and deployed troops to the Donbass. In a move interpreted as Russia’s effective withdrawal from Minsk.
On February 22, Putin said that the Minsk Agreement was no longer valid. On the same day, the Federation Council unanimously authorized the use of military force in the territories.
On the morning of 24 February, Putin announced that Russia was launching a “special military operation” in the Donbass and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Background
- According to Russia’s the expansion of NATO violates promises made prior to the disintegration of the Soviet Union that Ukraine’s entry into NATO would exceed the status quo for Russia. NATO’s strategic posture poses an ongoing security threat to Russia.
- Russia wants assurances from the West that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO. Ukraine is currently a NATO ‘partner country’, which means it will be allowed to join this military alliance in the future.
- The United States and its Western allies are refusing to ban Ukraine from NATO, claiming that Ukraine is a sovereign state free to choose its own security alliances.
- After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine and Russia continued to maintain close relations.
- Despite being a recognised independent country since 1991, as a former USSR constituent republic, Ukraine was considered part of its sphere of influence by the Russian leadership.
- In 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out against Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
- In July 2021, Putin published an essay titled On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, in which he reaffirmed his view that Russians and Ukrainians were “one people”.
- Russia has said that Ukraine’s possible merger with NATO and the expansion of NATO threatens its national security.
NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization also known as the North Atlantic Alliance. It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states, of which 28 are in Europe and the other 2 are in North America. This organization was established in the aftermath of World War II. The North Atlantic Treaty signed by this organization on 4 April 1949 came into force.
NATO member states are ready to defend each other in response to an attack by any other country. NATO is a military formation of a security system. This organization was established to respond to the threat of war by the Soviet Union.
The NATO headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium.
Reasons for Russia Ukraine War
(I) Old disputes
Until 1991, Ukraine was part of the erstwhile Soviet Union (USSR). Ukraine is bordered by Europe to the west and Russia to the east.
Russia and Ukraine have many reasons for the war, but joining NATO membership is considered the biggest reason for this war.
(II) NATO
- In 1949, the US formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to deal with the then Soviet Union. This organization was created to counter Russia.
- 30 countries of the world including America and Britain are members of NATO.
- Ukraine wants to join NATO but Russia does not want Ukraine to join NATO. Because this threatens Russia, NATO troops will be stationed on its border.
- The NATO organization has more than 3 million troops and Russia has 1.2 million soldiers.
- Russia demands that NATO give it a written assurance that it will never include Ukraine in NATO and neither the countries that have left the European Union.
(III) Russia and Europe gas pipeline dispute
One of the causes of the war is the Russia and Europe gas pipeline dispute. Russia sends gas to Europe via a pipeline that passes through Ukraine. Russia pays transit fees for the gas pipeline. Russia was paying about 33 billion dollars to Ukraine every year. This amount was 4 percent of the total budget of Ukraine. For this reason, Russia feels that it will be easier to send gas pipelines to them if they occupy some territory of Ukraine.
(IV) Crimea Controversy 2014
- Russia annexed the Ukrainian city of Crimea in 2014. Crimea has a port, which is strategically important for Russia. It is such a port that gives connectivity to Russia by sea. Most of the people in Crimea are Russian speakers, who are more attached to Russia. Because of this, Ukraine is afraid that Russia may occupy more of its territory, so it wants to join NATO.
- The dispute between Russia and Ukraine began in November 2013, when Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich began protesting in Kyiv, but was supported by Russia.
- Yanukovich had to leave the country in February 2014 due to protests from US-UK backed protesters.
- In protest, Russia annexed Crimea in southern Ukraine and supported the separatists there. These separatists have occupied large parts of eastern Ukraine.
Since 2014, pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting in the Donbass province. Prior to this, when Ukraine broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991, there were many conflicts between the two countries over Crimea.
After all Russia has attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022, regardless of the sanctions of America and other countries.
If NATO takes action against Russia and other countries of Europe join this war, then the risk of third world war may increase.
Impacts of Russia Ukraine war
I) Crude oil and stagflation
The Russia-Ukraine war is having an impact on the worldwide economy. Crude oil and edible oil prices are increasing drastically.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, Russia ranks third in the world in terms of crude oil production after the US and Saudi Arabia. In the year 2020, Russia produced 10.5 million barrels of oil per day. Exported a total of 50 to 60 million barrels of oil and half of which only exported to Europe.
Economists at Barclays Bank say there is a risk of increasing stagflation.
Stagflation is a situation when inflation continues to rise and the economy comes to a standstill. Economic growth slows down and unemployment rises. When inflation rises and GDP decreases at the same time, that situation is called stagflation.
II) Increase in food prices
Russia Ukraine will have an impact on food prices. According to researches 14% of the wheat production of the whole world is done in Ukraine and Russia. 29% of the wheat in the global market comes from these two countries. The production of sunflower and maize crops is also very high in these two countries. If there is a halt in the export of food grains, then the biggest impact will be on Middle East Africa and Turkey. So overall, the food stocks of other countries are filled by Russia and Ukraine. So from this it can be estimated that how much the prices of food stores will increase.
III) Obstacles in the career of youth
The Russia-Ukraine war had a major impact on the careers of youth. In Ukraine, students from India go to study MBBS or medical courses. Due to the fierce war, all the students have gone back to India and that is why their studies have stopped in the middle. Medical courses are available in Ukraine at less cost than India, so students go there to do medical courses.
IV) Loss of consumer demands
Due to the bad conditions during the war, the prices of the products are increasing significantly. Which can have a direct impact on the demand of the customers. Consumer demand has come down drastically due to the increase in the prices of the products. This will affect trade across Asia.
V) Impact on Indian farmers
Natural gas is imported from Russia and Ukraine countries for the production of fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorus etc. In the manufacture of urea, 80 percent natural gas is used. Due to the war of these countries, the import of natural gas in India has been affected. This has increased the prices of urea in the international market. According to its initial effect, the price of natural gas has doubled.
Quick links:-
Latest current affairs 2022: Current GK Questions