The world has been watching with bated breath as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. At the center of it all is one man: Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. With his firm grip on power and controversial tactics, Putin has become a lightning rod for criticism from around the globe. In this blog post, we’ll delve deeper into the complex web of geopolitics that underlies this ongoing conflict and explore what it means for both countries’ futures. So buckle up and get ready for a fascinating ride through one of today’s most contentious international disputes!

Russian Federation and the Ukraine

Russia has been accused of invading and annexing Crimea in 2014, leading to the current conflict in Ukraine. This ongoing conflict has caused great damage to both Russia and Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of people having died as a result. Russia is also believed to be backing separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, which has led to a humanitarian crisis. Vladimir Putin’s military campaign in support of the separatists has led to major criticism from the international community.
The annexation of Crimea was met with widespread condemnation from the international community, with many accusing Russia of violating international law. The UN Security Council voted unanimously to impose sanctions on Russia following the annexation, which effectively halted trade between Russia and the West. Relations between Moscow and the West have since deteriorated further following allegations that Russian intelligence agencies were involved in cyber-attacks against Western institutions, including the DNC (Democratic National Committee) and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Despite these tensions, there are some indications that relations between Moscow and Kiev could improve in light of recent agreements reached by both sides. In October 2017, Putin met with Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko in an effort to resolve the conflict; however, there have been no signs of progress since then.

Russian Foreign Policy in the Ukraine Crisis

Since the start of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, Russian foreign policy has been characterized by two main goals: to support pro-Russian separatists and undermine Ukrainian sovereignty. Moscow’s strategy originally consisted of providing military and financial support to the separatists, while publicly denying any role in their activities. However, in early July 2015, after months of heavy fighting, rebel forces emerged victorious from a key battle near Donetsk Airport. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he was withdrawing troops and military hardware from eastern Ukraine.
This apparent change in Russian policy led some observers to suggest that Putin was trying to create a “frozen conflict” in eastern Ukraine that would keep the conflict unresolved indefinitely. However, this theory has been rejected by many analysts as unsustainable given the large number of casualties on both sides since 2014. Instead, it appears that Putin’s real goal is to restore Russia’s geopolitical position within Eurasia and challenge U.S. hegemony there.
To achieve this goal, Moscow has used propaganda and disinformation campaigns to discredit Kyiv and promote the rebels as legitimate representatives of the Ukrainian people. It has also exerted pressure on other EU countries not to pursue sanctions against Russia, while working to build up ties with pro-Russian factions inside Ukraine. In December 2016, for example, Kremlin officials met with leaders of several far-right political parties in Kyiv in order to help them win local elections later that month.

Putin’s Tactics in the Ukraine Conflict

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2014, Vladimir Putin has pursued a clear strategy: annex Crimea, destabilize Kiev, and use Russian troops to prop up the separatists. Crimea was annexed in 2014 after a referendum that many denounced as illegitimate. The Kremlin used dirty tricks and misinformation to promote the vote, and made sure that Russian speakers were able to cast ballots easily. The goal was not only to seize territory but also to undermine Western confidence in Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In eastern Ukraine, Putin has tried a different approach. He has sent troops and military equipment into support of the separatists without overtly intervening in the fighting. This provides Russia with plausible deniability while allowing it to directly control key areas of the region. Moscow has also attempted to create a rift between Kiev and Washington by backing pro-Russian factions in both countries.
The Ukrainian government is struggling against these challenges. It is weak and divided, lacks popular support, and faces an uphill battle against overwhelming forces. In addition, Putin’s strategy relies on maintaining simmering tensions between Russia and Western Europe so that he can continue playing divide-and-rule without provoking further sanctions or conflict.

Consequences of the Ukraine War for Russia

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine War in 2014, Russia has been severely impacted by the conflict. In terms of economic and military casualties, Russia ranks as one of the worst-affected countries. According to latest reports, Russia has suffered over 17,000 fatalities and more than 50,000 wounded soldiers since the start of the war. Additionally, over 2 million civilians have been displaced from their homes, with over 1.5 million people living in refugee camps or shelters. The economic cost of the Ukraine War is also significant; Russian GDP has decreased by 6% since 2014 and inflation rates are at record highs. In terms of public opinion, however, Russia’s losses in the Ukraine War are not being fully appreciated. According to a recent poll conducted by Levada Center, only 37% of Russians believe that their country’s losses in the Ukraine War are worth it.
The impact of the Ukraine War on Russia has had a major negative impact on its relations with both NATO and European Union member states. Relations between Moscow and Brussels have deteriorated significantly since 2014; according to recent reports, there has been a rise in extremist attacks in both countries perpetrated by pro-Russian groups. Additionally, Brussels has imposed sanctions against Moscow for its role in the Ukrainian War. These sanctions have had a significant impact on Russian economy; they have caused real estate prices to fall (-11%), inflation rates to increase (+10%), and salaries to decline (-5%). In terms of public opinion, however, support for NATO and European.

Outlook for the Future of the Ukraine Crisis

The future of the Ukraine crisis is uncertain, but there are a few key points that should be kept in mind.
First and foremost, both Russia and the United States remain interested in maintaining a stable and prosperous Ukraine. This means that they will likely continue to try to reach some sort of agreement or compromise, even if it takes a while.
Russia also has important economic ties with Ukraine, which could be threatened if the conflict continues. However, Moscow may be more willing to risk those relationships if it feels that its interests are actually being harmed by the conflict.
In terms of the rebels, their prospects seem bleak at this point. They have been losing ground militarily and politically, and there does not seem to be much support for them from either Russia or the West. There is also talk of sending peacekeepers into eastern Ukraine to help negotiate an end to the fighting, but this remains just a proposal at this point.