Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Simple explanation of 2022 conflict, Putin’s Nato and Crimea history – and map – NationalWorld

Putins opposition to Nato, the annexing of Crimea and a supposed claim to Ukraines territory - its all behind the conflict

As is often the case with national tensions and geopolitical strife, things can seem to be quite convoluted and complex to the average person looking in.

And thats no different from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

That, coupled with strong rhetoric from politicians and diplomats, headlines shouting for your attention from the newspapers and worrying imagery on the news can all make for a pretty uneasy feeling.

So, weve done our best to summarise the conflict - including the reasons behind it - into an easy to understand digest as best we can.

Here is everything you need to know.

Why are there tensions between Russia and Ukraine?

Though things have ramped up dramatically in the last few months, tensions between Ukraine and Russia are long standing.

The current difficulties date back to the 2014 overthrow of the pro-Moscow Ukrainian government.

Russia saw this move as a sign that Ukraine could more closely align itself with the West in future.

In response, Russian troops took control of Crimea, a peninsula in the south of Ukraine.

Russia then held a referendum in Crimea, in which voters were asked whether the disputed territory should officially become a part of the country of Russia.

Despite 95% of citizens voting in favour of joining Russia and the Crimean Parliament quickly declaring independence from Ukraine, the referendum is not legally recognised by the international community.

Ukraine and the world community consider Crimea to still be a Ukrainian territory under law.

The conflict has been ongoing ever since, and the UN estimates at least 14,200 people to have been killed in eastern Ukraine, including over 3,000 civilians.

Why would Putin want to invade Ukraine?

Put simply, it appears as if Russian President Vladmir Putin views Ukraine as traditionally part of Russia, and would very much like it back under his countrys control.

On Monday 21 February, Putin decided to recognise the regions in east Ukraine the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic and Luhansk Peoples Republic as independent states.

These areas are under the control of pro-Russian separatists backed by the Russian government.

Though this recognition has no legal binding within the wider international community, it is thought Putin will use his decision to justify sending in troops, as civilians there are now officially (at least in the eyes of Putin) Russian citizens.

Putin also sees Ukraines proposed admission to Nato as a no-go.

During an hour-long speech setting out his intentions on Monday evening, the leader demanded the expansion of Nato be rolled back, and that Ukraine must not be allowed to join its fold.

He complained that Russias concerns had been ignored as irrelevant for years and accused the West of trying to contain Russia as a resurgent global force.

This speech was Putin the angry; impatient and directly threatening, said the BBCs Eastern Europe correspondent, Sarah Rainsford. It felt like Russias president was getting 20-odd years of hurt off his chest and hitting back.

And, of course, there was his re-writing of Ukrainian history, to claim it has never really been a state. In todays context, that had deeply ominous overtones.

Diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams said much of Putins speech sounded like a fever dream.

A nightmarish vision of a country economically crippled, he said, utterly corrupt, bent on developing nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and ungrateful for all the generous attention lavished on it by Russia since independence.

How has the West responded?

Putins moves have been met with condemnation around the world, with many countries imposing sanctions on Russia in response.

Sanctions are a diplomatic tool to disadvantage countries in ways without using combat. They are usually financial in design, and can restrict how easy it is for one country to trade with another, or freeze important overseas assets.

Many leaders - including the UK and US - have said the sanctions they have put in place are just a first wave of possible measures that could be implemented if Putin does continue with plans to invade.

It is hoped that such measures could eventually hamper Russias financial ability to carry out military manoeuvres in the future.

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Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Simple explanation of 2022 conflict, Putin's Nato and Crimea history - and map - NationalWorld