Shop on Impakter Eco
  • Women
  • Men
  • Kids
  • Beautycare
  • Home & Living
  • Food & Drinks
  • Pets
Impakter
  • Shop Eco
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Literature
    • Music
    • Photography
  • Style
    • Architecture
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Foodscape
    • Lifestyle
  • Society
    • Business
    • Environment
    • Foreign Affairs & Politics
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Science
    • Start-up
  • Impact
    • Eco Life
    • Circular Economy
    • COP26
    • CityLife
      • Copenhagen
      • San Francisco
      • Seattle
      • Sydney
    • Sustainability Series
      • SDGs Series
      • Shape Your Future
      • 2030: Dream or Reality
    • Philanthropy
      • United Nations
      • NGO & Charities
      • Essays
    • Your Voice
      • Empower Earth
      • Empower Equality
  • SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
  • Startup-Hub
    • Companies
    • Investors
    • Organisations
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • Partners
  • About
    • Team
    • Global Leaders
    • Contributors
    • Write for Impakter
    • IMPAKTER Italy
    • Republishing Content
    • Permissions and Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Impakter
No Result
View All Result
Home Global Leaders

Nato warns Russia against provoking Ukraine

Tensions increase as Russian troops are massed at the Ukraine border - are we heading for more annexation?

Charles KershawbyCharles Kershaw
November 16, 2021
in Global Leaders, Politics & Foreign Affairs, Society
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Nato’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has warned Russia against “any further provocations or actions”, as nearly 100,000 Russian troops were spotted near the Ukrainian border. 

These troops, alongside satellite imagery of tanks, artillery and even short-range missiles near Ukraine and Belarus have led Nato to be concerned that Russia is planning a winter offensive. 

The secretary general spoke to the Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, at the Nato headquarters in Brussels on Monday, calling on Russia to be “transparent about its military activities”, and further said that “we need to be realistic about the challenges we face. And what we see is a significant, large Russian military buildup.”

Troops first massed at the border a few months ago, but after diplomatic negotiations many departed, while leaving behind a great deal of their equipment. Now months later, troops have amassed again in the Crimean peninsula and the eastern Donbass region. 

Joe Biden sent the director of the CIA, Bill Burns, to Moscow this month, to further warn Putin that the US is watching this buildup of troops. US media reports also suggest that Washington has informed countries in the European Union that Russia might be gearing up for a war with Ukraine.

Russia has argued that this response is “alarmist” and complained of an increase in NATO presence in the area. They have also criticised the presence of US naval ships in the Black Sea, as well as claiming to spot six Nato spy planes flying over nearby airspace.

The sightings come at the same time as thousands of migrants are stuck at the Belarus-Poland border – a crisis that some, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have accused Russian President, Vladimir Putin, of orchestrating. 

A Russia-backed rebel observing Ukrainian army positions though firing port at his position near Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine May 17 2015. Photo Credit: Mstyslav Chernov

Russia – Ukraine relations: The background

In recent years, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been on the rise. Ukraine, a former and founding member of the Soviet bloc, has seen a number of clashes with Russian-backed forces in the past decade, and relations between the countries are close to outward hostility.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia have in the past been generally manageable, if not overly warm, but now it appears that the country is moving towards the EU and the West. In 2002, Russia tried and failed to integrate Ukraine into a single Economic Space with Russia. In more recent years, pro-western demonstrations toppled former president Viktor Yanukovych’s government, which was much more sympathetic to Russia than the current administration.

This came shortly before Russian-backed separatists annexed Crimea in March 2014, installing Russia-aligned leaders and declaring its independence from Ukraine. This was the largest seizure of land by any country in Europe since WWII.


Related Articles: Migrants Stuck at Poland-Belarus Border: Nobody Takes The Blame | The Western Balkans and the EU-Russia Tug of War | Zelensky: The Promises of Ukraine’s New President

Since then, there has been continued conflict, mainly in the region of Donbass, Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia. Clashes between forces have caused 13,000 casualties since 2014.

Barricade line separating interior troops and protesters seen as the conflict develops. Clashes in Kyiv, Ukraine. Events of February 18, 2014. Photo Credit: Mstyslav Chernov

In February 2021, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky placed sanctions on the oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk who has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Moreover, the country has banned broadcasts from three pro-Russian TV stations. Now, a generally more western-aligned country, is now in the process of gaining Nato membership, and has asked for the process to be sped up, most likely to give greater promise of support against Russia.

Is war likely?

The question is whether tensions between Russia and Ukraine will lead to an all-out war between the countries. 

This is ultimately a culmination and a raising of longstanding tensions in the region. It’s fair to say that there is likely always going to be tensions between Russia and the countries in the former Soviet Republic, especially with those that choose to align themselves more with the EU than Russia: the country would obviously benefit with having more countries under its sphere of influence, given western sanctions. 

Analysts are noting that a similar offensive against the city of Debaltseve in 2015 was also launched in winter, which might suggest Russia is serious about an attack. What’s more, a Nato source told Reuters that large military equipment such as tanks and artillery are moved at night to avoid pictures appearing on social media. The outgoing head of the British Armed Forces, General Sir Nick Carter, has suggested that the migrant crisis between Belarus and Poland is a distraction from activities in Ukraine.

A war would not solve tensions, nor would it solve the poverty and inequality that has faced so many Central-European countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Ukraine is a country that has been beset with corruption scandals, including against the current administration, though they are making attempts to clean up the political system. The Russian government, neck deep in wealth and oligarchy, would certainly not be an antidote to this. US military involvement in the area, while open to criticism, is not an excuse for heightening tensions. 

Russia may be sabre rattling, or gearing up for more annexation, but Ukraine (and Nato) must be prepared for the possibility of serious military action.


Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Armed forces in Crimea in 2014. Featured Photo Credit: Ilya Varlamov.

Tags: CorruptionCrimeaEuropean UnionnatoRussiaUkraineUnited States
Previous Post

How to Create Your Own Natural Cleaning Products

Next Post

When Art Clashes with Politics: China’s Dissident Artists On A Roll

Charles Kershaw

Charles Kershaw

Charles Kershaw is an editorial intern at Impakter from Surrey, UK. He is a recent graduate in International Journalism from City University, in London. He has written many articles for local and student papers, and hopes to pursue a career in journalism. He enjoys writing about environmental issues and international affairs. When he is not writing he enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and walking his two dogs.

Related Posts

The 1977 White House Climate Memo That Should Have Changed the World
Environment

The 1977 White House Climate Memo That Should Have Changed the World

June 25, 2022
How Britain’s Bill of Rights Would Affect Human Rights, International Law, and the UK
Equal Rights

How Britain’s Bill of Rights Would Affect Human Rights, International Law, and the UK

June 24, 2022
EU Council Opens the Door to Ukraine and Moldova: What it Means
Politics & Foreign Affairs

EU Council Opens the Door to Ukraine and Moldova: What it Means

June 24, 2022
Next Post
When Art Clashes with Politics: China’s Dissident Artists On A Roll

When Art Clashes with Politics: China’s Dissident Artists On A Roll

Recent News

The 1977 White House Climate Memo That Should Have Changed the World

The 1977 White House Climate Memo That Should Have Changed the World

June 25, 2022
How Britain’s Bill of Rights Would Affect Human Rights, International Law, and the UK

How Britain’s Bill of Rights Would Affect Human Rights, International Law, and the UK

June 24, 2022
EU Council Opens the Door to Ukraine and Moldova: What it Means

EU Council Opens the Door to Ukraine and Moldova: What it Means

June 24, 2022
impakter-logo-light

Impakter informs you through the eco news site and empowers your sustainable lifestyle with its eco products marketplace.

Visit here IMPAKTER ECO for your eco products needs.

Registered Office Address

32 Lots Road, London
SW10 0QJ, United Kingdom


IMPAKTER Limited

Company number: 10806931

Impakter is a publication that is identified by the following International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is the following 2515-9569 (Printed) and 2515-9577 (online – Website).


Office Hours - Monday to Friday

9.30am - 5.00pm CEST


Email

stories [at] impakter.com

About Us

  • Team
  • Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partners

By Audience

  • Lifestyle
  • Green Finance
  • Culture
  • Society
  • Style
  • Impact

Impakter Platforms

  • Media
  • Up
  • Index
  • Eco for Sellers
  • Impakter Pro

© 2022 IMPAKTER. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Culture
  • Style
  • Society
  • Impact
  • ECO Products Shop – Try now!
  • INDEX – Sustainability Index
  • UP – Startup Hub
  • About
    • Partners
    • Team
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
Impakter.com uses cookies to enhance your experience when visiting the website and to serve you with advertisements that might interest you. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.