What is the history of Ukraine and Russia?
Russia and Ukraine used to be a part of the Soviet Union since 1922. In 1991, the Soviet Union split into different countries. Ukraine was one such country that gained independence from the Soviet Union at this time. In 2014, Mr. Viktor Yanukovych, president of Ukraine, rejected a deal with European countries because he wanted to remain close to Russia. As a result, he was removed from his position by the people of Ukraine. In response, Russia took over a part of Ukraine called Crimea.
What is the recent conflict about?
The conflict is about Russia not wanting Ukraine to get close to or join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO is a group of thirty countries that have agreed to defend each other if they are attacked by any other country. Recently, Ukraine has also been made a “partner country” to NATO.
Why is this conflict in the news now?
Russia gathered more than 100,000 of its troops at its border with Ukraine, recently. This led to a fear that Russia might start a war with Ukraine to take over it. Russia made it clear that it did not want to start a war. It demanded that Ukraine and other nations which were a part of the Soviet Union not be offered to join NATO. The United States rejected this demand.
What will happen now?
While countries across the world were trying to end this conflict peacefully, on 24 February 2022, Russia declared war on Ukraine. Ukrainian forces are now fighting the Russian military. Civilians have either joined the military or are hiding in basements to avoid getting hurt from Russian missiles.
