According to the Ukraine news site RBC-Ukraine, 81 percent of Ukrainians said they have a negative attitude about Putin in a study conducted in September 2021.
The Biden Administration has warned again that Russia could invade Ukraine amid the rising tensions between the two countries. The US has pledged to defend the NATA territory in an attack. Moscow has denied any invasions plans calling this a ‘western hysteria.’
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will travel to Moscow today to meet Vladimir Putin to avert the war. The German stance on the issue is evident as they have previously issued a clear warning against any attack in Ukraine. It has been stated that any aggression from Russia will be met with heavy economic consequences.
“We are ready for very far-reaching and effective sanctions in coordination with our allies,” he said on Monday. Germany is the largest consumer of Russian natural gas and its key trade partner in Europe.
Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, has also stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution amid rising tensions in the conflict and has added that “appropriate steps, including possible sanctions, in response to what has happened, and in coordination with the G7 and international community.”
At present, Russia has stationed 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine. The world fears an imminent danger of war. The Russia-Ukraine conflict seems to stem from a deeper issue and goes back in time. Let us see a brief timeline of the crucial developments that lead to the current crisis.
2008: Ukraine initiates ties with NATO and announces it will join the group one day. Russia deems it unacceptable and expresses concerns.
2010: Viktor Yanukovych becomes President of Ukraine. He strikes a gas pricing deal with Russia to lease a naval base in the Black Sea Port of Ukraine.
2013: Yanukovich reaffirms ties with Russia, triggering mass protests. He suspends talks with the European Union.
2014: Yanukovich’s government is overthrown as the protests turn violent. In March, Russia annexed Crimea after a referendum.
2014: Intense movement of Russian troops into Eastern Ukraine is reported by the Ukrainian army.
2015: The Washington Post reports the presence of ‘elite units’ of the Russian army in Ukraine.
2017: Ukraine signs an agreement with the EU to open markets for free trade of goods and services and visa-free travel for Ukrainians across EU nations.
2018: Russia obstructs the waterways to Ukraine by constructing a bridge over the Kerch Strait.
2021: A growing buildup of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border can be seen through satellite images.
2021: US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a two-hour telephonic conversation.
2021: Russia demands to deny NATO membership to Ukraine. US President assures Ukrainian President Zelensky that they will ‘respond decisively’ if Russia attempts to invade.
2022: In January, US and Russian officials meet in Geneva, but the issue remains unresolved.
Edited by- Subbuthai Padma
Published by- Radhika. N
