Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Why, When, and How

“I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it’s going very well…but today I heard [from Ukraine], ‘Oh well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years – you should have never started it, you could have made a deal.” Donald Trump to Reporters, Mar-a-Lago, February 18, 2025

It is Not an Opinion: Russia Attacked and Invaded Ukraine

The Untruths Said: U.S. president, Donald Trump, has repeatedly stated that Ukraine began the war with Russia. His cabinet members and elected officials within the Republican party have largely repeated this position or refused to comment on the matter.

The Facts: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commenced on February 24, 2022, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea.

The reasons behind this invasion are complex, rooted in historical, political, and strategic factors. President Vladimir Putin has cited the need to protect Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine and prevent NATO’s expansion as primary motivations. Additionally, Russia views Ukraine’s increasing alignment with the West as a threat to its sphere of influence and national security.

The unprovoked invasion was executed through a combination of military tactics including cyberattacks, ground assaults, and airstrikes. Russian forces quickly moved into key regions of Ukraine, targeting military infrastructure and attempting to seize major cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, drawing widespread international condemnation and leading to severe economic sanctions against Russia. Despite facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces and support from Western allies, the situation remains volatile and continues to evolve, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to resolve the crisis.

Related Current Events

Ukraine vs Trump/Vance Explained: The White House meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President where Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance suddenly become hostile. Watch Video: The exact moment Trump and Zelenskyy’s relationship collapsed | About That

A staffer from TASS, a Russian outlet that often promotes glorified coverage of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, was briefly in the room for President Donald Trump’s bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A few key points:

Part of the meeting during which Zelensky was berated by U.S. President Trump and Vice President Vance was live streamed over Russia state TV, glorifying their own President Putin.
American media mainstays Reuters and the Associated Press were not granted access to the meeting.
White House claims they do not know how Russian state media got in.

Learn More: Russian state media briefly enters Oval Office during Zelenskyy meeting (Politico)

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