Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is an authoritarian who believes Ukraine should not be independent of Russia, multiple attempts have been made to destabilize Ukraine and disrupt Western politics.

By Shayler Richmond

Russia’s declaration of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent nations exposed a pattern of this regime appropriating non-Russian nations at its border. The sovereignty of this area has been on the decline since Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, a Pro-Russian leader, was removed from office. Following President Yanukovych’s removal in 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine.