The Ukraine war, often referred to as the Russo-Ukrainian War, began in 2014 and has its roots in a complex interplay of historical, political, and social factors. Here’s a brief overview of the key events leading up to the conflict:

Historical Context: Ukraine has a long history of being influenced by both Russia and Western Europe. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine struggled with its national identity and political alignment, oscillating between pro-Russian and pro-European sentiments.

Euromaidan Protests (2013-2014): The immediate precursor to the war was the Euromaidan protests, which began in November 2013. These protests erupted after then-President Viktor Yanukovych decided to suspend an association agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia. The protests grew in size and intensity, calling for Yanukovych's resignation and greater integration with Europe.

Yanukovych's Ouster (February 2014): In February 2014, after months of protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, Yanukovych fled to Russia. The Ukrainian parliament subsequently voted to remove him from office, leading to a power vacuum and political instability.

Annexation of Crimea (March 2014): In the wake of Yanukovych's ousting, Russia moved to annex Crimea. In March 2014, following a disputed referendum, Russia claimed that the majority of Crimeans voted to join Russia. This move was widely condemned by Ukraine and the international community as a violation of international law.

Conflict in Eastern Ukraine (April 2014): Following the annexation of Crimea, pro-Russian separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence from Ukraine, leading to armed conflict. The Ukrainian government launched an anti-terrorist operation to regain control over these regions.

Escalation of Hostilities: The conflict escalated throughout 2014 and into 2015, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations. Russia was accused of providing military support to the separatists, which it denied.

Minsk Agreements: In an effort to de-escalate the conflict, two ceasefire agreements were brokered in Minsk (Minsk I in September 2014 and Minsk II in February 2015). However, these agreements failed to bring lasting peace, and skirmishes continued.

Ongoing Conflict: The war has continued with fluctuating intensity, resulting in thousands of deaths and significant displacement of people. The situation remained unresolved, with periodic escalations and attempts at negotiations.

2021-2022 Tensions: In late 2021 and early 2022, tensions escalated again as Russia amassed troops near the Ukrainian border, leading to fears of a full-scale invasion.

Full-Scale Invasion (February 2022): On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. This invasion was met with widespread condemnation and led to severe sanctions against Russia from many countries.

The war has had profound implications for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community, reshaping geopolitical dynamics in Europe and beyond.

The immediate precursor to the war was the Euromaidan protests, which began in November 2013. These protests erupted after then-President Viktor Yanukovych decided to suspend an association agreement with the European Union, opting instead for closer ties with Russia. The protests grew in size and intensity, calling for Yanukovych's resignation and greater integration with Europe.