Russia Vs Ukraine Story Most People Do Not Know About

Russia and Ukraine were a part of the Soviet Union, until it dissolved and Ukraine declared independence in 1991.  Point to note: Ukraine occupies a strategic geographical location. It sits at the center of the fight for influence in Europe. 

Moscow, the capital of Russia wants to or is preventing Ukraine from joining the West. To further explain, Ukraine has wanted to join the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Due to the long and complex nature of joining NATO, Ukraine has been 'stuck' at the door, since they first expressed interest in 2008. If Ukraine joins NATO, it is alleged that their joining would be a threat to Russian Security.

Another important time period to note is March 2014. During this period is when the conflict between both countries began. It commenced as a result of protests from pro-Europe counterparts against the corruption surrounding the pro-Russian president at the time.

From my understanding, pro-Europe would referto counterparts in support of Ukraine joining NATO, while pro-Russian refers to those in favour of Ukraine being held 'under Russia's thumb'.

The protests caused the president of Ukraine to flee and Putin, president of Russia, saw it as an opportunity to gain power of strategic places in and around Ukraine. This opportunity saw Putin invading the Crimean Peninsula is South Ukraine.

He organized a referendum to take over the area in the presence of Russian troops, which was then declared illegal by the international community.

Point to note: The Crimean peninsula is strategic because of the entrance in provides to the Black sea - an area Putin, wants/wanted to control. Of course, the invasion caused protests, economic penalties against Russia, and petitions/calls for the territory to be returned.

Putin has said that will never happen. Since 2014, Putin has been providing militia and political support to pro-Russia separatists (persons in favour of segregation) fighting the Ukrainian army in East Ukraine. Approximately 14,000 people have died since.

Matters have escalated as a result of Russia's decision to send approximately 150,000 troops near the Ukraine border. There has also been a steady flow of military operations in the effort to show the military might of Russia.

Putin wants a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO, they will demilitarize and become a neutral state. This comes in addition to the statement Putin made about Ukraine being a Puppet of the West and was never a proper state.

According to the BBC, Putin tore up a peace deal and ordered the troops mentioned about into the two Eastern-held regions. The peace deal is known as the Minsk peace accords and this is an agreement and an attempt to secure a cease-fire between the Ukraine government and the pro-Russia separatists in the East.

The most recent of the Minsk accords, Minsk 2, was signed in 2015 and has 13 points. Nine of which cover the management of the actual conflict in the occupied  territories. Other points include, withdrawal of heavy weapons, an amnesty, an exchange of hostages and the pull out of all foreign armies, militia and additional equipment and mercenaries from Ukraine.

France and Germany played a key role in the brokerage of the accords via a grouping called the Normandy Format. It makes provisions for a mechanism involving all four countries, allowing them to sit and discuss tactics to help reduce misunderstandings and build relations.