Ukraine caught between the powers

Audio 7:30 p.m.

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, January 18, 2022. AP

By: Anne Corpet Follow

1 min

For many weeks, the eyes of the world have been trained on the border between Ukraine and Russia.

Moscow has deployed 100,000 troops there and is flexing its muscles with massive military maneuvers.

From Washington to Brussels, obviously passing through all the capitals of Eastern Europe, one wonders: will an attack take place? 

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Everyone has their own prognosis and the verbal escalation between the powers continues while for the moment on the ground reigns a form of worrying calm.

Russia probably has no interest in embarking on a new military adventure, especially since, since the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbass in 2014, the Ukrainian army has benefited from American support.

However, Vladimir Putin wants to consolidate, even extend his sphere of influence, and dreams of restoring to Russia the prestige of its past and, with regard to Ukraine, Moscow sometimes reacts more emotionally than rationally.

Why is Ukraine arousing so much interest in Moscow?

Are the two countries doomed to a common destiny, as the Kremlin suggests?

Why does Ukraine want to free itself from the influence of its big eastern neighbor to turn to the West? 

Decryption with:

- Alexandra Goujon

, lecturer in political science at the University of Burgundy, author of

Ukraine: from independence to war

(Editions Le Cavalier bleu)

- Anna Colin-Lebedev

, lecturer at the University of Paris Nanterre, author of the podcast

Le Podkhoze

, which is devoted to post-Soviet societies.

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  • Ukraine

  • Russia

  • Vladimir Poutine

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