Tensions have reached an all time high between Russia and Ukraine this month. Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops on the Ukraine border, a trend that started earlier in the fall of 2021. This threat of conflict has been taken very seriously by Ukraine’s allies including the United States and the rest of NATO. Russia has not officially threatened an invasion but seems readily prepared to do so. While the U.S and NATO have threatened swift retaliation and sanctions against Russia should they invade. 

Russian and Ukrainian conflict has been a trend in history, from past wars to territorial disputes since 1991 when Ukraine officially became a country. A series of conflicts has continued throughout history, including  the recent annexation of Crimea. In 2014, Russia moved troops into the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. The largely pro-Russian area was consumed in a pseudo-invasion that ended with Crimea essentially becoming a territory of Russia. Since then, more armed conflict took place in Ukraine’s Eastern lands between pro-Russian forces and Ukrainian military along with pro-Ukraine forces. Eventually a ceasefire was negotiated between forces, however, tensions never really fell as Russia and Ukraine were not able to agree on the Minsk Accords according to the finance times 

According to the New York Times and other sources , NATO was recently planning to vote on admitting Ukraine to their alliance. Russia, feeling this was an encroachment on their sphere of influence as Ukraine is a bordering nation and a former Soviet state, demanded that Ukraine be barred from joining NATO. To enforce their demands, Russian troops have amassed on the border. Peace talks between NATO members, Ukraine, and Russia have taken place, but no prevailing compromise has been reached. Both sides have pressured each other for their demands, but haven’t taken any action on these threats. 

A washington Post Article reported that after a meeting with German Chancellor, Olaf Shultz, President Biden said to the media that there will be a “united response” by NATO members, and that,”if Russia invades, that means tanks or troops crossing the border of Ukraine again, there will be no longer Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.” Nord Stream 2 is a new pipeline bringing natural gas into Germany from Russia, which is going to be key for the hurting Russian economy. Similarly in the same article, after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin talked to the media, sending a message to Ukraine and the rest of the world,”You may like it, you may not like it. deal with it my gorgeous.”