UKRAINE CRISIS: A GAME OF DOG AND THE BONE

Pic Courtesy: Aljazeera

Ukraine, since independence in 1991 has been torn between its former Soviet masters (Russia) and the Western institutions (NATO) it wants to join.

 

Historical Background

Independence. In December 1991, Ukraine voted in favour of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Russian President Boris Yeltsin accepted the vote and Russia, Ukraine and Belarus set up a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

(Process of fall of the mighty Russian empire – USSR)

 

Agreement. In the aftermath of the end of the Cold War, Ukraine, Russia, the UK and the US in December 1994 agreed to respect the independence, sovereignty and borders of Ukraine. The agreement was in exchange for Ukraine abandoning the nuclear weapons it inherited from the Soviet Union.

(Action justified as it was required to control Nuclear Proliferation.)

 

Friendship Treaty. In May 1997 Russia and Ukraine signed a friendship treaty. It settled a key disagreement and allowed Russia to retain ownership of the majority of ships in the Black Sea fleet (based in Ukraine’s Crimea) in exchange of Moscow paying Kyiv a modest rent to use the port of Sebastopol. Moscow also remained Kyiv’s most important commercial partner, with Ukraine totally dependent on Russian oil and gas.

(Treaty heavily in favour of Russia – but Ukraine had to accept it)

 

Economic Push and Pull.

In 2003, Ukraine signed an accord with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on a Common Economic Space. Western bloc showed displeasure indicating that these actions could hinder Ukraine’s rapprochement with the bloc and its membership to the World Trade Organization.

(Economic factors are big drivers of the geopolitics and foreign affairs).

 

Russia and Ukraine were engaged in several disputes, notably over gas in 2006 and 2009 which disrupt Europe’s energy supplies.

(Wheels within wheels)

 

Main Bone Of Contention

Perceiving the CIS as an attempt to bring ex-Soviet republics under Moscow’s control, Ukraine always takes a lukewarm approach to it. Its tilt is towards the West and it seeks ties with the US-led NATO military alliance.

(This is not palatable to Russia. The question is how far it would go to retain control of its erstwhile state)

 

Domestic See Saw

For 10 years under the leadership of Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine staggered between the Eastern and the western bloc.

 

Orange Revolution.  Ukraine’s 2004 presidential election was marred by fraud and the victory of the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych provoked unprecedented protests in the peaceful Orange Revolution.

(Classic case of one country meddling in the elections of another one).

 

Western Tilt and Push. The uproar led to the election results being cancelled and pro-Western opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko (who was the victim of a mysterious dioxin poisoning during the campaign), became president.  Yuschenko swiftly reiterated Ukraine’s wish to join the EU, along with NATO. In 2008 at a summit in Bucharest, NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine has a future in the alliance, sparking Moscow’s ire.

(Majority always prevails)

 

Eastern Attempt & Pro-European uprising. Yanukovych got elected as president in 2010, and in November 2013 he suspended the talks on a trade pact with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. This sparked a massive protest by pro-European opposition groups demanding that the pro-Russian president quits. The uprising, centred on Kyiv’s Independence Square, came to a head in February 2014 when police fired on the protesters. Around 100 demonstrators and 20 police officers died during the three-month uprising. Finally, Yanukovych fled to Russia and was impeached.

(Russian desperation to retain control is evident)

 

Annexation and War: Further Souring Of Relations.

Pic Courtesy: Internet

In 2014, Russia sent its Special Forces to take control of strategic sites on Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula. In March 2014 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty absorbing Crimea into Russia. The annexation provoked the worst diplomatic crisis between the West and Russia,  since the fall of the Soviet Union.

(Nibbling Starts)

 

Genesis of Current Crisis

In April 2014, a pro-Russian rebellion erupted in Ukraine’s industrial eastern areas. Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Lugansk declare their regions to be independent. Ukraine and its Western allies accused Russia of instigating the uprising and pouring in arms and troops to bolster the self-proclaimed republics. The clashes became a full-blown conflict in May 2014. This conflict has left more than 14,000 people dead.

 

Present Situation

After massing tens of thousands of soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, Putin on February 21, 2022 recognises the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk.

 

Bottom Line

Russia seems to go to any length to retain control over its erstwhile states.

Russia seems to be following the Chinese policy of nibbling (The difference being instead of Salami slicing it is resorting to nibbling and gobbling up bigger chunks).

 

Question

Where will this East versus West clash of interest lead to?

When will this East versus West clash end?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

Links to previous posts on the subject:

RUSSIA – UKRAINE CRISIS ESCALATES (24 FEB 22)

Latest on Ukraine-Russia Conflict (23 Feb 22)

 

 

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RUSSIA – UKRAINE CRISIS ESCALATES (24 FEB 22)

 

President Vladimir Putin had earlier recognised the independence of two of the states of Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has received the authorization to use military force outside his country and the west has responded with sanctions. U.S. and European allies accuse Moscow of crossing a red line, in rolling over Ukraine’s border into separatist regions. Some called it an invasion.

(Strategic coercion at play with step by step climbing up the escalatory ladder)

 

Evacuation

Russia began evacuating its embassy and diplomatic posts in Kyiv. Russian flag is no longer flying over the Kyiv embassy.

(Increasing pressure by Strategic signalling)

 

Ukrainian authorities expressed increasing concern and advised its citizens against travel to Russia and recommended anyone there to leave immediately.

(Precautionary steps)

National state of emergency.

Ukraine’s parliament has voted to approve a national state of emergency in response to the threat of a Russian invasion. The measure was overwhelmingly approved on the same day that Moscow began to evacuate its Kyiv embassy and Washington stepped up its warnings about the chances of an all-out Russian attack.

(Policy  – Hope for the best and prepare for the worst)

 

Indian Stand.

Indian Defence Minister voiced India’s stance as that India wants peace and is always been in favour of world peace. India has called for restraint on all sides stating that the Russia-Ukraine dispute should be resolved through talks.

(Guarded tight rope walk. Non aligned policy or policy of equidistance?)

 

Bottom Line

Russia still trying to achieve its objectives by strategic coercion.

Ukraine banking on Collective Security.

 

Question

How far will Russia go?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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Latest on Ukraine-Russia Conflict (23 Feb 22)

 

  • Over the past few months, Russia has stationed a large number of troops at the border between itself and Ukraine. This has raised concerns about invasion. Events have escalated in the past 24 hours.
  • (Muscle flexing for strategic coercion)

 

  • Reports suggest a witness saw tanks and other military hardware moving through the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk.
  • (Testing the waters and gradual escalation)

 

  • Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has said that he plans to sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as an independent.
  • (a move that would provide legitimacy for putting Russian boots in two regions of Ukraine).

 

  • UNSC assembles. In light of Putin’s announcement, the United Nations Security Council convened rapidly at the request of the United States, Britain, and France. Member nations have appealed and pleaded with Russia and asked Putin to step back.
  • (Multilateralism is still alive)

 

  • Sanctions galore. During the UNSC meeting, multiple nations announced plans to sanction Russia, with Britain’s representative saying there would be “far-reaching economic consequences if Russia doesn’t withdraw. 
  • (Have sanctions deterred in the past?) 

 

  • Britain. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already begun, so Britain will impose sanctions on Russia,” a senior British minister said on Tuesday.
  • (Quick on the draw, US announcement on sanctions is still awaited)

 

Bottom Line

Humans can not stay in peace.

Multilateralism is still live.

 

 

Question

Will Russia invade Ukraine?

What will be China’s stand?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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