Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that the developments on the Ukrainian front are a “matter of life or death” for Russia and could determine its fate. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin has portrayed its military operation as a battle for Russia’s survival, seeking to rally national sentiment among citizens, many of whom are indifferent to the invasion.
In an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, excerpts of which were shared on social media, Putin emphasized the existential nature of the conflict for Russia, contrasting it with the tactical advancements perceived by others. His comments were made in response to a two-hour interview with American TV host Tucker Carlson, which the Kremlin used to promote its narrative of the war.
The recent war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, has been described as the deadliest conflict on European soil in over 70 years. The invasion led to significant military, civilian, and economic impacts, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signing new long-term security pacts with France and Germany to bolster support against the Russian offensive. Despite these agreements, the situation on the ground remains dire, with Russia capturing significant territories and launching extensive aerial attacks on Ukrainian targets, marking a significant escalation nearly two years into the conflict.
The origins of the conflict trace back to early 2022, when satellite imagery revealed a significant Russian military buildup along the Belarus border, reminiscent of Cold War tensions. Despite international negotiations involving the US, Russia, and European powers, efforts to prevent the invasion failed. The US had warned of an impending Russian invasion, which Putin justified as a “peacekeeping” operation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Following the invasion, the international community, led by the US and European allies, imposed severe sanctions on Russia, aiming to isolate it economically and politically. The UN General Assembly saw an overwhelming majority of member states condemning the invasion, demanding an immediate Russian withdrawal.
The conflict has roots in the complex historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine, involving cultural ties, political ambitions, and regional allegiances. Ukraine’s strategic significance to Russia, combined with its aspirations for closer ties with Western institutions like the EU and NATO, has made it a focal point of geopolitical tensions. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the support for separatists in the Donbas region further exacerbated these tensions, setting the stage for the current conflict.
