The Russia-Ukraine war stands as one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century, fundamentally reshaping global politics and security. When Russian forces crossed Ukraine’s borders on February 24, 2022, launching a full-scale invasion, the world witnessed the beginning of Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II.
While the immediate answer to who started this war seems clear—Russia initiated the invasion—the deeper question involves understanding the complex historical, political, and security tensions that led to this moment. The conflict didn’t emerge in a vacuum but developed from decades of post-Soviet geopolitical struggles, competing national interests, and the broader contest between Russia and Western nations over Ukraine’s future direction.
This war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and triggered a global economic crisis affecting food and energy supplies worldwide. Understanding its origins helps us grasp not just what happened, but why this conflict continues to reverberate across international relations.
The Historical Roots of Conflict
Soviet Union Legacy
Ukraine’s relationship with Russia stretches back centuries, but the modern conflict’s roots lie in the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. When Ukraine declared independence, it inherited significant challenges: nuclear weapons, economic dependence on Russia, and a population divided between those favoring closer ties with Moscow and others seeking Western integration.
The newly independent Ukraine faced the complex task of building national identity while managing its relationship with its much larger neighbor. Russia, under various leaders, never fully accepted Ukraine as a completely sovereign state, often viewing it as within Russia’s sphere of influence—a perspective that would later fuel major tensions.
Ukraine’s Western Turn
Ukraine’s gradual shift toward Western institutions became a source of growing friction with Russia. The country’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union represented more than policy preferences—they signaled a fundamental choice about Ukraine’s future direction and geopolitical alignment.
The 2004 Orange Revolution, where Ukrainians protested against electoral fraud and demanded democratic reforms, marked a crucial turning point. This popular uprising demonstrated Ukraine’s desire for European-style democracy and rule of law, directly challenging Russia’s vision of Ukraine remaining within its orbit.
The 2014 Crisis: A Prelude to War
Euromaidan and Political Upheaval
The immediate precursor to current tensions began in 2013 when Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, under Russian pressure, suspended preparations for an association agreement with the European Union. This decision sparked massive protests known as Euromaidan, where hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians demanded European integration and an end to corruption.
When Yanukovych fled the country in February 2014, Russia interpreted this as a Western-backed coup threatening its interests. The rapid political changes in Kyiv prompted Moscow to take decisive action to maintain influence over Ukraine.
Crimea Annexation
Russia’s response was swift and dramatic. In March 2014, Russian forces without military insignia—later called “little green men”—seized control of Crimea. Following a hastily organized referendum widely rejected by the international community, Russia formally annexed the peninsula.
This marked the first time since World War II that one European country had annexed territory from another. The annexation violated international law, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where Russia had guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons.
Donbas Conflict Begins
Simultaneously, pro-Russian separatists, backed by Moscow, launched uprisings in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics declared independence, triggering an armed conflict that would continue for eight years before escalating into full-scale war.
Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, including the Minsk Protocols, fighting in eastern Ukraine never completely stopped. An estimated 14,000 people died in this regional conflict between 2014 and 2022.
Russia’s Justifications for War
When Russia launched its 2022 invasion, Moscow presented several justifications that the international community largely rejected:
NATO Expansion Concerns
Russian President Vladimir Putin cited NATO’s eastward expansion as a primary threat, arguing that Ukraine’s potential membership would place Western military infrastructure directly on Russia’s border. Putin demanded legally binding guarantees that Ukraine would never join NATO—demands the alliance rejected.
Protection of Russian Speakers
Russia claimed it needed to protect Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine from persecution and genocide. However, international observers found no evidence of systematic persecution of Russian speakers in Ukraine before the invasion.
“De-Nazification” Claims
Perhaps most controversially, Putin claimed Ukraine was controlled by Nazis and drug addicts, requiring “de-Nazification.” This justification was widely rejected, particularly given that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish and lost family members in the Holocaust.
Ukraine’s Response and International Reaction
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine consistently maintained that Russia’s invasion was unprovoked aggression violating international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Ukrainian leaders argued they had the right to choose their own alliances and determine their country’s future without external coercion.
President Zelensky’s leadership during the crisis galvanized international support, as he effectively communicated Ukraine’s position to global audiences through social media and virtual appearances before international bodies.
Western Support and Sanctions
The United States, European Union, and NATO members responded with unprecedented unity, imposing severe economic sanctions on Russia while providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This support included advanced weaponry, intelligence sharing, and billions in financial assistance.
The international response also involved efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically, including suspending it from various international organizations and sporting events.
The Clear Answer: Russia Started the War
While the conflict has complex historical roots, the question of who started the Russia-Ukraine war has a clear answer: Russia initiated the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. This conclusion is supported by overwhelming international consensus, including United Nations resolutions condemning Russian aggression.
The UN General Assembly passed multiple resolutions with broad international support, identifying Russia as the aggressor and demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. Even countries that maintained neutral positions on other aspects of the conflict generally acknowledged that Russia began the military action.
However, understanding causation requires recognizing the deeper factors that created conditions for this conflict, including post-Soviet tensions, competing security architectures in Europe, and the struggle over Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation.
Long-term Consequences and Global Impact
The war’s effects extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Global food supplies faced disruption as Ukraine, a major grain exporter, could not maintain normal agricultural operations. Energy markets experienced severe volatility as Europe scrambled to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas.
The conflict has also accelerated changes in European security policy, with historically neutral countries like Finland and Sweden joining NATO, and Germany significantly increasing defense spending after decades of relatively low military investment.
Understanding the Broader Context
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine represents more than a bilateral conflict—it reflects broader tensions about international order, sovereignty, and the role of great powers in the 21st century. The war has become a test case for whether international law and the principle of territorial integrity can withstand challenges from major military powers.
The conflict also highlights questions about security guarantees, alliance commitments, and how the international community responds to aggression. Ukraine’s resistance has demonstrated that even smaller nations can effectively defend themselves with international support and strong leadership.
While Russia clearly initiated the 2022 invasion, the conflict’s resolution will likely require addressing underlying security concerns and establishing a framework for peaceful coexistence in Eastern Europe. The war’s ultimate outcome will significantly influence global politics and international relations for decades to come.
