Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to go on the offensive against Ukraine in February 2022 after concentrating, for the second time in a year, a large military contingent on its border.
The potentate, sure of obtaining a lightning victory, came up against the determination of the Ukrainian troops, who could count on the support of NATO and the United States. The administration of President Joe Biden, taking the opposite view from that of his predecessor Donald Trump, is maintaining a hard line against the Kremlin. His country has provided aid equivalent to nearly $100 billion to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, but could be forced to slow down its contribution due to blocking efforts in Congress by a minority of elected Republicans. Moscow hopes that Western solidarity with Kyiv will gradually crumble and is counting on the support of China, which supports its economy by purchasing oil. Canadian journalist and author John Ripley notes that the Chinese regime’s connection to Russia is “opportunistic” and does not mean that Beijing is willing to risk its own interests in the process. The reservations of its leaders regarding the arms transfer reflect in particular, he says, its desire not to directly hit the United States and the European Union, which remain important economic partners.
500,000
Number of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers killed or injured since the start of the conflict in February 2022