me_irl

When Ukraine gained independence, Russia's understanding was that it would accept the emergence of democracy on its doorstep in exchange for assurances regarding security. Specifically, the agreement entailed that NATO would not expand beyond Germany. In the early 1990s and again in 2000, Russia sought to join NATO, only to be rebuffed. NATO, in turn, has often relied on portraying Russia as a threat to justify its military expenditures and equipment buildup. The conflict in Ukraine was sparked in large part by NATO’s eastward expansion, especially its support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and the subsequent military aid provided to Kyiv. To understand this complex geopolitical issue more fully, it is important to engage with historical sources rather than be swayed by biased narratives.