The Main Reason Behind the Russia-Ukraine War
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, is one of the most significant conflicts in modern history. While there are multiple factors behind the war, the main reason is Russia’s desire to reassert control over Ukraine and prevent its alignment with the West. This geopolitical struggle has deep historical, political, and strategic roots.
1. Russia’s View of Ukraine as a “Brother Nation”
Russia has historically viewed Ukraine as an integral part of its sphere of influence. Ukraine was a key republic in the Soviet Union until it gained independence in 1991 after the USSR collapsed. However, Russian leaders, particularly President Vladimir Putin, have often denied Ukraine’s sovereignty, arguing that it is part of the “Russian world.”
Putin has publicly stated that Ukrainians and Russians are “one people,” and he has rejected Ukraine’s independent national identity. His government sees Ukraine's departure from Russian influence as a direct threat to Russian power.
2. NATO and Ukraine’s Shift Toward the West
One of Russia’s biggest concerns has been Ukraine’s increasing ties with Western organizations like NATO and the European Union (EU). Since 2014, Ukraine has actively sought integration with Europe, strengthening its military and political ties with Western countries.
- NATO Expansion Fear: Russia has long opposed NATO’s expansion eastward, seeing it as a security threat. Although Ukraine was not a NATO member when the war started, it was moving closer to NATO through military cooperation.
- EU Aspirations: Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union also angered Moscow, as it signaled a shift away from Russian influence.
Putin has framed the war as a way to prevent Ukraine from becoming a “Western puppet” and to stop NATO from gaining more influence near Russia’s borders.
3. The 2014 Ukraine Crisis and Crimea Annexation
The roots of the current war trace back to 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in a popular uprising known as the Euromaidan Revolution. This movement was driven by Ukrainians demanding closer ties with the EU rather than Russia.
In response, Russia illegally annexed Crimea and supported separatist rebels in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This marked the beginning of an eight-year conflict in eastern Ukraine, which later escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022.
4. Putin’s Desire to Restore Russian Dominance
Beyond NATO and Ukraine’s Western alignment, Putin’s broader ambition to restore Russian dominance plays a key role in the war. Many analysts believe that he sees himself as a historical leader, aiming to rebuild Russia’s imperial influence.
By invading Ukraine, Russia hoped to:
- Overthrow Ukraine’s government and install a pro-Russian regime.
- Reassert Russian influence over former Soviet territories.
- Show strength against Western interference in Eastern Europe.
However, this plan has largely backfired, as Ukraine has fiercely resisted, and the West has imposed severe sanctions on Russia while supplying Ukraine with military aid.
Conclusion
The main reason behind the Russia-Ukraine war is Russia’s attempt to prevent Ukraine from becoming fully aligned with the West and to reassert control over a country it sees as part of its historical sphere of influence. While Putin justifies the war with claims of protecting Russian-speaking populations and resisting NATO expansion, the deeper motivation is Russia’s unwillingness to accept Ukraine’s independence and democratic choices.
The war has dramatically reshaped global geopolitics, strengthening Ukraine’s identity, uniting Western nations against Russia, and challenging Moscow’s military power. As the war continues, Ukraine remains determined to defend its sovereignty, while Russia faces increasing international isolation.