Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border, following orders from their autocratic leader. The title “President” is a formality, as election rigging and undemocratic principles give strength to Vladimir Putin. His newest campaign, invading Ukraine, appears as if Putin has lost his mind. He has not.
Vladimir Putin ordered some 100,000 troops stationed near Ukraine’s border to embark on a “special military mission” claiming a need to “de-nazify” the country. His true intent is to Russify its neighbor. Like an older brother trying to bring his family together, Putin intends to reunify the Russian people that once lived united in the Russian and Soviet Empires, reminiscent of the old days. Becoming an amateur historian, Putin claims that Ukraine has no basis of being an independent country and it owes its existence to the Bolsheviks after the Revolution of 1917. He further argues that Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities and that its drift towards the West is a plot by the United States to kill off Russian identity. It is laughable to think that wiping Ukrainian identity will amount to safeguarding Russian culture.
Many Russians seem to agree with Mr. Putin. My grandfather claimed that Russia was better off during the Soviet era while scoffing at former Soviet republics that ditch their Russian ties. Russians favor Mr. Putin because he looks at the past, wanting to return to the ‘glory days.’ Without returning the economic strength, Mr. Putin has brought back authoritarianism, international meddling, and potential for nuclear war.
The United States, NATO, and the EU are united in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but their sanctions may amount to little. As of writing this, President Biden has announced the “massive” economic sanctions he mentioned before, including freezing assets of banks and sanctioning Russian oligarchs and government officials. Mr. Biden also emphasized that no American troops would go to Ukraine, instead, deploying to reinforce its NATO allies.
Why has the United States not done more? Two major hurdles obstruct Mr. Biden’s hope for intervention. First, the failure of American withdrawal from Afghanistan is still fresh in Americans’ minds. Many think that the United States left an arsenal of weapons for the Taliban, leaving the United States defenseless. That is false, as the United States has one of the biggest military stockpiles. Additionally, Americans do not wish Ukraine to be another failed mission. Second, Russia is a nuclear power. Although the Nuclear Disarmament of the late 1900s reduced the nuclear capabilities of both the United States and Russia, it is unclear how many nuclear weapons Russia holds. Many are unreported and abandoned, while others are simply hidden from sight. Mr. Putin has referred to Russia’s nuclear strength while addressing the possible aggression of the United States and its allies. Nuclear War is once again on the table.
Russia’s blitzkrieg into Ukraine is no measly operation. Russia’s troops are highly trained and skilled, rivaling their Ukrainian counterparts. Russian Battalion Tactical Groups, consisting of 600 to 1,000 soldiers, are highly adaptable at combat. The Ukrainian army on the other hand is a worthy opponent. Supplied and trained by the West, Ukraine has been preparing its army since 2014. The roughly 205,000 deployed soldiers are supported by partisans who are willing to fight for their country. Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, calls on citizens to fight, promising to provide weapons to “anyone who wants one.” Hoping that his citizens can slow the Russian army may be Ukraine’s best solution to keeping Russian soldiers bogged down in a country that does not want them.
As this is written, Russia is less than 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. This is because Russian soldiers were deployed in Belarus, a Russian satellite state.
Russia’s goal is to quickly seize the capital and encircle Ukraine’s main fighting force in the East from crossing the Dnieper River. If such an operation succeeds, Ukraine’s armed forces will be unable to recover. Ukraine’s president is likely to flee from the city and establish a government in a different city, such as Lviv. To stop Russian troops is another topic, which will not be explored.
Putin’s war against Ukraine is the end of the peace that existed in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin’s ambition to revive the Empire through territorial gains is underway. Appeasement of the Russian bear has not worked, just as appeasement did not work in the 1930s. Let us learn from the mistakes of World War II and take actions against Russia, stopping the power- and land-hungry dictator from rewriting borders. Let us act on the calls of the Ukrainian people and prepare the West for a conflict against Russia, whether economic, partisan, or militaristic. Leaders in the West should not take their time to act. Ukraine does not have time.
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