Big 6 Current Event

Historical context

In February 2022 Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine^[1]. Ukraine’s interest to Russia stems from it being militarily strategic for further expansion^[1] and historical and ongoing conflicts between the two nations. The catalyst of modern conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February of 2014 when Russian forces assessed and annexed Crimea^[2].

The annexation is further rooted in the historical ties of Ukraine as a former Soviet republic as well as Crimea’s position near legitimate Russian transit routes^[2]. The attack on Crimea was viewed as strategically successful due to the ease of annexation, but largely in part due to Russian forces being viewed as friendly and valid to Crimea through cultural ties, which existed as a separate political unit within Ukraine^{[2] [3]}. These deeply rooted ties stem from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic’s transfer of power over Crimea to the Ukrainian Republic in 1954^[3].

In addition to historical roots, political tensions where on the rise in Ukraine. These included new trade deals being made with Russia^[4]. After new trade deals where made, Ukrainian citizens protested, which lead to the then president of Ukraine banning anti-government protests^[4]. After banning anti-government protests, Ukrainian citizens protested the decision – which turned violent resulting in the death of two protesters^[4]. The ban was overturned, the parliament also impeaches President Yanukovych^[4] he claims that the impeachment was apart of a ‘coup^[5]. Around this time Russia claims that there is a “deteriorating situation” within the country^[4].

The impeached president, who was the same one who made trade deals with Russia, is then issued an arrest warrant for mass murder, for those protesters^[4]. All resulting in Russia’s easy use of propaganda and unmarked military “self-defense” forces to gain control^[6]. Throughout this Crimea’s government remains pro-Russian and votes to join Russia^[4].

After successful annexation of Crimea, Russian forces moved onwards resulting in the start of what we call the Russian – Ukrainian war^[7] that year^[6]. When, in 2022, Russian forces began their full scale invasion of Ukraine^[8] the world jumped to support Ukraine, partially out of fear as to what Russia could do if they gained control of Ukraine.

Current event

On September 13 President Biden and British PM Starmer met to discuss a number of ongoing issues including Ukrainian use of long-range Western weapons^{[9] [10] [11]}. Biden has been urged to lift it’s restrictions^[10], and both Britain and France have agreed to approve Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles on the counter-offensive^{[11] [9]}, but the United States lags behind.

The concern stems from Russian threats of escalating the conflict^[10], potentially to the use of nuclear weapons^[12]. An announcement was expected to be delivered after the meeting^[10], but this no longer appears to be the case – and if any decision is made soon it is unlikely to be public^[9].

1. Ukraine conflict: Your guide to understanding the story – BBC News ↩ ↩2

2. Lessons from Russia’s Operations in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine – RAND ↩ ↩2 ↩3

3. Crimea: A Gift To Ukraine Becomes A Political Flash Point – NPR ↩ ↩2

4. Conflict in Ukraine: A timeline (2014 - eve of 2022 invasion) – House of Commons Library ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

5. Protesters seize control in Kiev as president denounces ‘coup d’etat’ – The Irish Times ↩

6. The Russian Invasion of the Crimean Peninsula – The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory ↩ ↩2

7. Russia never formally declared war on Ukraine. ↩

8. How Russia’s war in Ukraine has unfolded, month by month. – The New York Times ↩

9. Meeting With Biden, British Leader Hints at Ukraine Weapon Decision Soon – The New York Times ↩ ↩2 ↩3

10. Biden meets with British leader and brushes off Putin’s threats about weapons for Ukraine – AP News ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

11. UK’s Starmer in Washington for talks with Biden on Ukraine missile use – Reuters ↩ ↩2

12. Putin’s options for Ukraine missiles response include nuclear test, experts say – Reuters ↩