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The IUP Journal of International Relations

Escalation of Ukraine Crisis and Russia-West Geopolitical Rivalry: Implications for Regional Stability, Security and Peace

Article Details

Pub. Date	: Jan, 2022
Product Name	: The IUP Journal of International Relations
Product Type	: Article
Product Code	: IJIR010122
Author Name	:Saranya Antony A
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Arts & Humanities
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 19

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Abstract

This paper examines the Ukraine-Russia border tensions in 2021, West-Russia geopolitical rivalry over Ukraine, and its implications for the region's stability, security, and peace. The recent Russian military build-up at Ukraine's pro-Russian Donbas border, followed by invasion and the Russophobic response of US, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), European Union (EU), and Ukraine have attracted international attention. The US and European powers considered the Ukraine Crisis of 2014 and Crimea annexation as Russian aggression and imposed punitive sanctions against the country. The US, West, and Russia brokered Minsk Agreements for peacebuilding remain deadlocked now. The Ukraine crisis and Russia's reaction are the outcomes of the US-led West's strategy of NATO-EU eastern enlargement and democracy promotion in Russia's geopolitical backyard, which Russia sees as a threat to its national security and regional stability. In fact, recently Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden held a summit over Ukraine in December 2021. The US warned Russia of strong military retaliation and economic sanctions. Putin asserted Russophobia as a step towards genocide and sought guarantees against NATO's expansion towards Russia and weapons deployment near its border to diffuse tension and break the deadlock. Given the complexity of the crisis, it remains to be seen whether there will be peaceful conflict resolution through diplomacy and dialogue despite differences.

Introduction

The recent Ukraine-Russia tensions at Donbas border and Russia's war against Ukraine have attracted international attention. The Ukraine crisis began in 2014, as the conflict escalated between the pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian soldiers, which spiked the Donbas ceasefire. The US and European powers have repeatedly described Russia as an offensive actor against Ukraine. After the Ukraine crisis of 2014, the US, West, and Russia brokered Minsk I (2014) peace agreements and Minsk II (2015) protocol for peaceful resolution of the conflict. However, the Minsk Protocol could not solve the conflict and is now deadlocked. The crisis was followed by the annexation of Crimea, which is the outcome of the US-led West's strategy of NATO-EU eastern enlargement and democracy promotion in Russia's geopolitical backyard. Russia sees NATO expansion to its borders as a threat to its national security and