Why Does Putin Want Ukraine So Badly?

Abdullah Cheema

10 Sep, 2024

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has deep roots, stretching back centuries. At its core, this isn't just a modern geopolitical crisis but one intertwined with the shared history of both nations. The historical ties between Kyiv and Moscow go as far back as the 9th century with the formation of Kievan Rus, a powerful state where Kyiv, now the capital of Ukraine, was the center. Fast forward to the 20th century, and both Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union, with Ukraine being a significant republic. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became independent, but Russia has never fully accepted its detachment, especially with Ukraine’s growing interest in aligning itself with the West.

One of the most contentious issues is Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, a move that Russia sees as a direct threat to its sphere of influence. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he wants NATO to stop expanding, especially toward former Soviet territories like Ukraine. This is just one layer of Putin’s broader ambition—restoring Russia’s imperial glory by reasserting control over territories that were once part of its empire.

Tensions reached a boiling point in 2014 when Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, rejected a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. Protests erupted, Yanukovych was ousted, and in response, Russia annexed Crimea, a move that the international community largely condemned but that Putin justified as reclaiming historically Russian land. The situation escalated further as pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, supported by Russian forces, seized control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Despite attempts to broker peace through the Minsk Accords, the conflict has simmered ever since.

The current crisis, with Russian troops amassing at the Ukrainian border, has many wondering if Russia will fully invade Ukraine. Putin’s objectives are complex. On one hand, he seeks to stop NATO’s eastward expansion; on the other, he wants to ensure Ukraine remains within Russia’s orbit of influence. Domestically, escalating tensions and keeping the nationalist narrative alive boosts his popularity, as seen with the annexation of Crimea, which sent his approval ratings soaring.

For Ukrainians, however, the desire for independence and closer ties to the West remains strong. Today, the majority of Ukrainians view Russia as a hostile state, and a significant portion are willing to resist any further Russian aggression, either through arms or civil disobedience. The current Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, embodies this spirit. A vocal critic of Russia, Zelensky represents a Ukraine that strives to remain sovereign and independent of Russian control.

The historical, political, and cultural complexities of this conflict make it difficult to predict the future. But what’s clear is that the struggle between Ukraine and Russia is not just about territory—it's about identity, sovereignty, and the future of Europe. Will Russia go to war with Ukraine? In many ways, that war has already begun, and its roots run deep into the past.