U.S Involvement in Russia's War on Ukraine
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been surfacing since 2021, and now Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has declared war on Ukraine. The conflict between both countries revolves around the Crimean Peninsula, which Brittanica points out that “In 2014 Russia covertly invaded and illegally annexed Crimea, a move that was denounced by the international community.” However, all around the world, Crimea is considered a part of Ukraine.
Source: Financial Times
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from Russia, becoming its own country. Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the two countries have been feuding on and off ever since.
In an effort to keep the peace and their countries’ freedom, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, tells BBC News, “I initiated a telephone call with the president of the Russian federation. Result: silence.”
Vladimir Putin’s goal is to “occupy another portion of Ukraine or the entire country through military means,” Wilson Center reveals.
Source: Time
Since then, Russia announced its invasion of Ukraine via TV and began the destruction on February 23th, 2022. “There were explosions near Kyiv’s main airport, as well as around other cities,” informs The Economist, “The scope of the attack was not immediately clear, but all the evidence pointed to a large-scale operation.”
Amidst all of this mass destruction and a war that could possibly be more gruesome than any other World War, you may be wondering: ‘How is the United States getting involved?’
Source: Reuters
In a statement from the White House on February 23rd, 2022, President Joe Biden says, “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” affirming his support for Ukrainian efforts.
When the tension between Russia and Ukraine started to develop rapidly in early February, President Biden announced that the United States is prepared to retaliate if necessary, but is opposed to war.
On February 14th, 2022, CNBC reported that “The Pentagon ordered all U.S. troops in Ukraine to leave the country and reposition elsewhere in Europe,” confirming President Biden’s reluctance into putting troops down in Ukraine, thus becoming involved in the war.
But, with Russia’s advancement in Ukraine, The Pentagon has begun “sending fighter jets, attack helicopters, and infantry troops as it bolsters security in the region,” as stated in The Washington Post.
Source: The New York Times
Though President Biden has been making significant efforts to prevent the war between Russia and Ukraine, destruction has already begun, and the fate of the United States Military in Ukraine is uncertain.
As the war advances, we will have to see how the United States’ involvement unfolds. Until now, all rumors of sending troops into Ukraine and drafting U.S citizens have not been confirmed. All we can do now is pray for the lives lost in Ukraine, provide support where we can and hope for a more peaceful future.
You can keep up with live updates on the war here.