They made multiple security demands of Ukraine, NATO, and other EU countries. [82][83][84][85] According to Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) commander Igor Girkin, without this support in April, the movement would have dissipated, as it had in Kharkiv and Odesa. Ukrainian soldiers removing the body of a Russian soldier near the front line in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region in November. [16] The Orange Revolution is often grouped together with other early-21st century protest movements, particularly within the former USSR, known as colour revolutions. Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine But Russia has kept a close eye on its neighbor to the West, while Ukrainians have found their independence to be tumultuous at times, with periods of protests and government corruption. Here's what experts, NATO say", "Biden 'convinced' Putin will invade Ukraine as Donbas region ordered evacuated", "Ukraine: How big is Russia's military build-up? [74], Beginning in late February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups took place in major cities across the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. Share. [203][201] Analysts described Putin's rhetoric as greatly exaggerated. Its hard to know where to begin, but one thing is clear: The war shows few signs of ending anytime soon. '[138] On 4 September 2014, a NATO officer said that several thousand regular Russian forces operating in Ukraine.[139]. In February 2015, Russia and Ukraine signed the Minsk II agreements to end the conflict, but the agreements were never fully implemented in the years that followed. Why is Russia attacking Ukraine? Five things you need to Experts say the cause of the military conflict can be tied to a complicated history, Russias tensions with NATO and the ambitions of Vladimir Putin. [143] In the 12 November United Nations Security Council meeting, the United Kingdom's representative accused Russia of intentionally constraining OSCE observation missions' capabilities, pointing out that the observers were allowed to monitor only two kilometers of border, and drones deployed to extend their capabilities were jammed or shot down. [68] In the following days, all remaining Ukrainian military bases and installations were surrounded and besieged, including the Southern Naval Base. On 7 and 12 November, NATO officials reconfirmed the Russian presence, citing 32 tanks, 16 howitzer cannons and 30 trucks of troops entering the country. For months, the world was left guessing about what Russian President Vladimir Putin was up to with Ukraine . On 21 April 2010, former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych signed a new deal known as the Kharkiv Pact, to resolve the 2009 RussiaUkraine gas dispute; it extended the stay to 2042 with an option to renew.[39]. A man sits outside his destroyed building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv, on Feb. 24, 2022. Security checkpoints isolated the Crimean Peninsula from the rest of Ukraine and restricted movement within the territory. [136][137] On 5 September Russia's Permanent OSCE Representative Andrey Kelin, said that it was natural that pro-Russian separatists "are going to liberate" Mariupol. In February, with the first anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine days away, officials in Kyiv were busy making plans to attack Moscow. Self-declared republic since 7 April 2014; annexation by Russia declared on 30 September 2022. He also expressed irredentist views and questioned Ukraine's right to exist. [305][306], In July 2021, Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel concluded a deal that the U.S. might trigger sanctions if Russia used Nord Stream as a "political weapon". In early August 2014, the German DAX was down by 6 percent for the year, and 11 percent since June, over concerns Russia, Germany's 13th biggest trade partner, would retaliate against sanctions. Russia under the dubious claim of protecting ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers from Ukrainian persecution annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine in a move widely condemned by the international community. [27][28][29][30] On 23 February, the parliament adopted a bill to repeal the 2012 law which gave Russian language an official status. Under the agreements the Russian military in Crimea was constrained to a maximum of 25,000 troops; they were required to: respect the sovereignty of Ukraine, honor its legislation, not interfere in the internal affairs of the country, and show their "military identification cards" when crossing the international border. Russia has offered passports to Ukrainians in occupied territory since 2014, and has stepped up such efforts since the start of its full-scale invasion 14 months ago. [112], On 24 August 2014, Amvrosiivka was occupied by Russian paratroopers,[113] supported by 250 armoured vehicles and artillery pieces. [124] Pro-Ukrainian anti-war protests took place in Mariupol. A principal demand of Russia is to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, a military alliance between 28 European countries and two North American countries dedicated to preserving peace and security in the North Atlantic area. [134][135] Poroshenko then recanted. [97] Investigations and the recovery of bodies began in the conflict zone as fighting continued. [122] Russian forces captured Novoazovsk. 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"What is Russia doing in Ukraine, and what can West do about it?