Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point in international relations, shaking the foundations of post-Cold War geopolitics. To understand the motivations behind Russia’s aggression, we must explore the complex web of historical legacies, geopolitical ambitions, and economic interests driving the conflict. This article dissects these dimensions in a way that’s approachable, engaging, and richly detailed. By embedding credible citations from authoritative sources and clearly explaining the complexities, we aim to present a more authentic and humanized narrative of why Russia chose to invade Ukraine.
Historical Roots: The Shadow of Soviet Collapse and Russia’s Lost Empire
When the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, Russia lost more than just territory; it experienced a psychological and political collapse. Russia’s territory shrunk by 5 million square kilometers, approximately the size of India, and its population halved overnight. According to research by Pew Research Center, about 66% of Russians consider the collapse of the Soviet Union a “tragedy” — a sentiment especially resonant among older generations who lived through the USSR’s glory days. Ukraine, historically regarded as the “birthplace of Russian civilization,” is central to this sentiment. Kievan Rus’, a federation from which both Russia and Ukraine trace their origins, underscores Ukraine’s perceived cultural and historical inseparability from Russia.
When Ukraine gained independence in 1991, this historical continuity was, in the eyes of many Russians, abruptly severed. The subsequent shift of Ukraine toward the West, particularly after the 2014 Maidan Revolution, symbolized a deeper betrayal — a move that, for Russian nationalists, defied centuries of shared identity. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s tilt toward Western Europe represents a civilizational rejection of Russia’s imperial past. A 2020 study by the Carnegie Moscow Center revealed that 62% of Russians still believe “Russians and Ukrainians are one people,” further amplifying the belief that the West had “stolen” Ukraine from Russia’s historical fold.
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Putin’s Ideology: The “Sovereignist” Doctrine
Putin’s foreign policy is underpinned by what experts call “sovereign democracy,” a philosophy that prioritizes national sovereignty above all else and resists foreign interference, especially from Western powers like NATO and the European Union (EU). This is not simply about territorial integrity but about the ideological survival of Putin’s regime.
Putin views Western-style liberalism as a destabilizing force, one that sows political chaos in regions formerly under Soviet influence. In fact, Putin’s sharp criticism of Western liberalism aligns with what RAND Corporation’s 2021 report refers to as a “sovereignist doctrine,” whereby Russia seeks to preserve autocratic rule by preventing democratic revolutions within its sphere of influence. This ideology is fueled by a deep-seated fear of so-called “color revolutions”—democratic uprisings like those seen in Georgia (2003), Ukraine (2004 and 2014), and Kyrgyzstan (2005).
According to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Russia perceives these revolutions as Western-backed operations designed to overthrow pro-Russian regimes and replace them with pro-Western governments. In Putin’s view, the 2014 Euromaidan protests, which led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, weren’t just internal Ukrainian affairs but part of a larger Western strategy to encircle and weaken Russia.
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NATO Expansion and Russia’s Security Concerns
One of Russia’s primary justifications for invading Ukraine lies in its deep-seated fears regarding NATO expansion. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has welcomed 14 former Eastern Bloc countries into its alliance, bringing it closer to Russia’s borders. From Moscow’s perspective, NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe represents a clear and present danger to Russian security. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, 79% of Russians see NATO as a direct threat.
Ukraine’s growing relationship with NATO, particularly its aspirations for membership, has been viewed as intolerable by the Kremlin. While Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO, it has engaged in cooperative military exercises, received Western military aid, and established deeper security ties with the alliance. For Russia, this scenario would bring NATO troops and infrastructure directly to its borders, further eroding its traditional buffer zone in Eastern Europe. As explained by Michael Kofman, a senior researcher at the Center for Naval Analyses, losing Ukraine to NATO would not just be a geopolitical loss but would effectively diminish Russia’s military leverage in the region. This concern is deeply rooted in Russia’s military strategy, which, for centuries, has relied on buffer zones to mitigate invasions.
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- NATO’s history of expansion
- Pew Research study on Russian views toward NATO
- Center for Naval Analyses report on NATO and Russian military strategy
Geopolitical Logic: The Buffer Zone Strategy
Historically, Russia has used a strategy of creating buffer zones around its borders to protect against foreign invasion. As Harvard historian Stephen Kotkin points out, Russia’s flat, open geography has left it vulnerable to invasions by Napoleon, the Nazis, and other European powers. With no natural barriers to defend against enemy forces, Russia has often relied on controlling territories along its borders to act as a protective shield. Ukraine, due to its size, proximity, and resources, has always been one of the most crucial of these buffer states.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 can be seen as an attempt to re-establish this strategic buffer zone. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 was similarly motivated by the need to secure the Black Sea for Russia’s naval fleet. As noted by a 2020 RAND report, without control over Crimea, Russia’s ability to project naval power into the Mediterranean would be severely weakened. By controlling Ukraine, Russia also secures access to vital energy pipelines that flow through Ukrainian territory, providing leverage over Europe’s energy supply.
In terms of natural resources, Ukraine is a crucial asset. It is a major global exporter of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil. According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data, Ukraine accounted for 9% of the world’s wheat exports in 2020 and 16% of the world’s corn exports. In addition to its agricultural resources, Ukraine also holds vast reserves of coal, uranium, and lithium—resources that are critical to both the energy and technology sectors. Securing these assets allows Russia to maintain control over not only Ukraine but also broader global economic markets.
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- RAND Corporation’s analysis on Russia’s buffer zone strategy
- Harvard’s Stephen Kotkin on Russia’s geography
- UN FAO data on Ukrainian agriculture
Economic Motives: Energy Dominance and Resource Control
Energy plays a pivotal role in Russia’s decision-making calculus. Ukraine has long been a transit hub for Russian natural gas flowing to Europe. As of 2021, 40% of Europe’s natural gas came from Russia, and a significant portion of that gas traveled through Ukrainian pipelines. This gives Russia enormous leverage over Europe, which has often been hesitant to impose harsh sanctions on Russia due to its energy dependency. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline—designed to bypass Ukraine and deliver gas directly to Germany—was intended to strengthen Russia’s energy dominance in Europe. However, due to the invasion of Ukraine, this project was shelved, leading to a recalibration of European energy policies.
Beyond natural gas, Ukraine also possesses significant reserves of critical minerals. The Donbas region in eastern Ukraine is rich in coal and steel production, while Ukraine’s western territories are home to large deposits of lithium—a crucial resource for battery production and electric vehicles. As the global demand for clean energy rises, controlling Ukraine’s natural resources provides Russia with a strategic advantage in the emerging green economy.
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- [Nord Stream 2 project background](https://www.e
uractiv.com/section/energy/news/what-is-the-nord-stream-2-pipeline-and-why-is-it-important/)
Domestic Political Calculations: Nationalism and Regime Legitimacy
Domestically, the invasion of Ukraine also serves a critical function for Putin’s regime. Nationalism is one of the pillars of Putin’s popularity. After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, his approval ratings skyrocketed to over 80%, reflecting widespread public support for the idea of reuniting “Russian lands.” According to a 2019 report by the Levada Center, 86% of Russians supported the annexation of Crimea, which had been portrayed by state-controlled media as a historic correction of Soviet-era mistakes.
However, by 2021, Putin’s approval ratings had fallen to around 65%, the lowest in over a decade, due to economic stagnation, corruption, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to invade Ukraine in 2022 was likely influenced, in part, by a desire to regain popular support and solidify the regime’s legitimacy. In a 2022 VCIOM poll, 71% of Russians expressed support for what the Kremlin labeled a “special military operation” in Ukraine. The Kremlin’s propaganda machine has been highly effective in framing the conflict as a defensive war against Western aggression and “neo-Nazis” in Ukraine, thus rallying domestic support.
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FAQs
1. What triggered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022?
Russia invaded Ukraine primarily due to a combination of historical, geopolitical, and security concerns. Central to this decision was Russia’s fear of NATO expansion, Ukraine’s growing Western alignment, and the need to maintain control over Ukraine as a buffer state. You can read more about NATO’s influence here.
2. Why is Ukraine so important to Russia?
Ukraine holds historical significance as part of the Russian imperial identity, as well as strategic importance due to its geographic location and natural resources. Learn more about the historical context here.
3. Is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine only about NATO expansion?
While NATO expansion is a significant factor, Russia’s motivations also include domestic political interests, economic control over resources, and a desire to reassert regional dominance. For an in-depth analysis, check out RAND’s study.
4. How has the West responded to Russia’s invasion?
Western countries have imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia, provided military aid to Ukraine, and condemned the invasion at the United Nations. You can explore the sanctions in detail here.
5. What role do energy resources play in this conflict?
Russia’s control over energy supplies, especially natural gas, plays a key role in its strategy. Europe’s reliance on Russian gas has complicated the West’s response. Learn more.
6. How has Ukraine responded to the invasion?
Ukraine has mounted a fierce resistance, supported by Western military aid and financial assistance. As of September 2023, the war remains ongoing. Read more about Ukraine’s resistance efforts.
Conclusion
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a multifaceted conflict driven by a confluence of historical legacies, geopolitical strategies, and economic interests. Putin’s decision reflects both a desire to restore Russia’s regional influence and a broader ideological battle against the West. This conflict is far from over, and its outcome will likely reshape the geopolitical landscape for years to come.
For readers seeking a more detailed understanding, the following authoritative sources provide valuable insights:
