This post may contain affiliate links. Our recommendations are solely based on what we have thoroughly examined and analyzed. Learn more on our private policy page.
To better understand russia`s historical paranoia regarding Ukraine, we have to look prior to the annexation of crimea in 2014. Ukraine is a country that has been caught in the middle of a geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West for centuries. It shares a long and complex history with Russia, dating back to the medieval state of Kievan Rus. Ukraine was also part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991. Since then, Ukraine has faced political and economic challenges, as well as internal divisions between its pro-Russian and pro-Western regions.
Russia sees Ukraine as a vital buffer zone and a sphere of influence, especially after the expansion of NATO and the European Union to its borders. Russia also fears losing access to its naval base in Crimea, which it annexed in 2014 after a controversial referendum. The russians has also supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, who have been fighting against the Ukrainian government since 2014.
NATO and the west, on the other hand, supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its aspirations to join the EU and NATO. The West has imposed sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine, and has provided military and economic aid to the Ukrainian government. The West also condemns Russia’s recent military buildup near the Ukrainian border, which has raised fears of a possible invasion.
The conflict in Ukraine is not only a matter of national security, but also of values and identity. Ukraine is a country that wants to choose its own destiny, but faces pressure and interference from both sides. The future of Ukraine will have significant implications for the stability and security of Europe and the world.
Here are 4 of the most important books written to better understand russia`s historical paranoia regarding Ukraine:
1. Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine by Anne Applebaum
This book is a history of the Soviet famine from 1931 to 1933, which killed millions of Ukrainians.
It shows how Stalin deliberately used hunger as a weapon to crush the Ukrainian national movement and force the peasants into collectivization.
It also reveals the long-lasting effects of the famine on the Ukrainian identity and memory, and how it shaped the current conflict with Russia.
2. The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History by Serhii Plokhy
This book is an authoritative history of Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II, from the perspective of a leading expert on the region. It covers the origins, course, and consequences of the war, as well as its implications for the future of Europe and the world.
3. Ukraine Crisis: What It Means for the West by Andrew Wilson
This book is an expert analysis of the modern Ukraine crisis,
from the peaceful protests and violent conflicts that have rocked the country in recent years.
It explains the causes and consequences of the Maidan uprising, the Russian annexation of Crimea, and the ongoing war in the Donbas.
It also puts the crisis into context for the future of Ukraine, Russia, the European Union, and the world.
4. Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know (second edition) by Serhy Yekelchyk
This book is a concise and accessible introduction to Ukraine’s history, culture, politics, and society. It explains the main events and issues that have shaped Ukraine’s identity and destiny, from its ancient roots to its modern challenges.
Click here to read other interesting articles by Studyingwizard.com