Examining the conflicting narratives on the Ukrainian crisis

What is it about?

Ukraine has long been a key player in the global security order. Today, the country is at the forefront of a renewed power struggle. But, the crisis began in Ukraine in late 2013. Viktor Yanukovych, the president at the time, refused to sign the European Union (EU) agreement. Protests spread across the country, culminating in the president fleeing in February 2014. As a result, a new, pro-European government was set up. Meanwhile, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and riots broke out in the east of Ukraine. Ukraine was caught in the middle of conflicting narratives of realist and liberal scholars. Given the current scenario, it is critical to analyze individual events to understand the roots of the conflict better. This study looked at these individual events and found flaws in both narratives. The authors agreed with the realists, that events appear to have been motivated more by political interests than by the domestic politics considerations. However they acknowledge that the realist views underestimate the role of earlier Russian policy decisions in fueling the crisis.

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Photo by Daniele Franchi on Unsplash

Photo by Daniele Franchi on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Realist and liberal scholars offer conflicting views on the Ukrainian crisis. Liberals attribute the crisis to Russia's aggressive foreign policy, which supports domestic authoritarian politics. Realists, on the other hand, argue that Western efforts sparked the crisis by trying to detach Ukraine from Russian influence. But, both narratives undermine the contextual factors that led to the crisis. This study is crucial for filling gaps in both narratives and shedding light on the underlying reasons. KEY TAKEAWAY: Ukrainian agency, for the most part, was a key factor that influenced how events would unfold. President Yanukovych tried to keep the delicate balance between the West and the East. In the end, the Russian and Ukrainian policies wavered. Even so, Russia maintained a presence in Ukrainian affairs and secured its naval base. But, relations between Russia and the West soured. As a result, the conflict continues to this day.