What exactly does Putin want in Ukraine?

Tensions in Europe have run high in recent weeks on Western fears Russia may invade neighboring Ukraine, which Moscow denied is its intention. President Vladimir Putin has said some of its troops were returning to base after exercises near Ukraine and that his country does not want a war in Europe. But why has Russia amassed thousands of troops and weapons at its borders? The Guardian's Moscow correspondent Andrew Roth looks at what Putin wants in Ukraine - and why now.

[MageBlackstone]

It is not what he wants, it is what he doesn't want. He doesn't want NATO bases or nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

[tm-ityj]

As a russian, i think this video is the best explanation about the current situation, so far

[alecb]

Appreciate you guys giving a brief summary and not some drawn out video

[justifinak.]

Well explained. Short but concise and direct to the point. Didn’t need to use big complicated words. Thanks for this. Still hoping Ukraine will be helped asap.

[grrr]

Short but very concise, everything that I need in the recent issue of Ukraine and Russia is here.

[MrZlocktar]

Very accurate as far as i can tell. But i have to say, that there is a 3rd point which is actually the most important. It's a very long story, so to keep it simple - Ukraine have nuclear technology left from USSR which can be used to build new nuclear armaments to use against Russia. And this is the very reason why current situation is happening. Just a few weeks ago the President of Ukraine, made the biggest mistake a politic could've ever done in his career. He bragged about nuclear potential of Ukraine thanks to legacy of USSR. He was trying to assure that Ukraine can, and will use it to force their political cause against Russia, and he did all that BEFORE he actually had any of nuclear armaments.

Putin actually got this threat very serious. Extremely in fact. He established a meeting with military personal in attempt to get the short answer to a simple question - is this nonsense that Zelensky said back then - is actually possible? To which millitary specialists said yes, it is possible. Ukraine indeed does have potential both science, material, finance, technology to create nuclear armaments if it is needed.

That's it. That's why we are here. That's why this operation focuses on very literal disarming of entire Ukraine. It's not about taking over Ukraine, it's about making sure that nonsense with building nuclear armaments won't happen. That's why Putin was forced to act. Everything else is just bonus.

I hope this will make it more clear for you to understand what is happening and why.

[mentally-stable-human]

What they want is not something we understand cause the world is like a playground for world leaders or else why would other countries support ukraine out of sympathy? Oviously not for some reason always it seemed like they are putting on bets

[thebalanceofgoddesssgods.]

Thank you so much for explaining this. I feel like everyone else that tried to, basically just gaslighted me. 😂

[liswong]

This video is clear, short, direct and simple. Thank you.

[marlonbascombe]

Russia - Ukraine Conflict

Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been hostile since the Revolution of Dignity in the year 2014. The Revolution of Dignity refers to a series of violent events involving protesters, riot police, and unknown shooters in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which culminated in the ousting of the country’s elected President Viktor Yanukovych and the overthrow of the Ukrainian government. The protests developed because the Ukrainian President refused to sign a political association to the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), however, many Ukrainian stakeholders wanted their country to join with NATO. The subsequent Ukraine's post-revolutionary government sought to commit the country to the EU and NATO, rather than continue to play a neutral and diplomatic role with Russia, the EU, and NATO members.
Given these concerns, in February and March 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine. It forcefully annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Russia formally incorporated Crimea as two Russian federal subjects, the first being the Republic of Crimea, the second being the federal city of Sevastopol. This was done on 18 March 2014.
This move prompted the other members of the then G8 to suspend Russia from the group. The other members of the G8 also agreed to the introduction of a first round of sanctions against Russia. However, these sanctions were not effective as Russia is a large influential country and it continues to trade with several countries, including the G8 countries.
Earlier in 2004, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia had joined the EU. Later in 2007, Bulgaria and Romania also joined the EU. Subsequently, the Russian government fears that Ukraine's membership to the EU and NATO would complete a western wall of allied countries in Europe. Also, it could restrict Russia's access to the Black Sea. Furthermore, South Korea and Japan are presently allied to the United States (US). Therefore, the Russian government was concerned of the potential for the country to become ring-fenced by hostile powers.
In 2019, amendments were made to the Constitution of Ukraine, which the post-revolutionary government took step to push Ukraine closer towards EU and NATO membership. Throughout 2021 and the beginning of 2022, tensions between Ukraine and Russia were building up as Russia was mounting a military presence at Ukraine’s border. During this period, the US has condemned Russia’s actions through diplomatic press releases, but took no military action against Russia. On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine.

[professorgmkallas]

As veteran and a veteran political science professor of international relation and US foreign and national security policy histories, this will all end with a whimper... time for a 'reality check'... better to negotiate peace... the US president claims: "Basic Principles....", the world agrees to nations' right to sovereignty and territorial integrity" agreed... yet, the long tragic history of US diplomacy speaks a different story... the historical record shows it's not Russia or China but the US interventions since 1945 have been at the top of list has been global, massive and deadly.... Think Vietnam, think Central America, Think the Mideast... and the beat goes on... better to shift to trillions in US interventionary dollars back home to take care of our own crumbling infrastructure. national health system and education systems... that would be a great start...

[summertime]

Absolutely, hands-down the BEST explanation I have heard, regarding the growing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Definitely a video every 'lay-person' should watch!

[hm-jzvs]

Guardian should make video "What US, UK and NATO wants from every country" too... Who's agree ?
Edit : I'm not Putin's fan, I'm just fan of peace

[kholi]

Me:
*finishes watching the

....and now let's see what the experts in the comments have to say on the whole conflict situation. 😀😀😀

[Saluspergratiam]

No, Russia is trying to ensure it's nation security. It isn't about controlling Ukraines future or conquering Ukraine, it's about making sure NATO doesn't continue it's expansion up to Russia's border.

[rd]

I found it fascinating, that the reason for the war is because of the Ukraine's inclination towards the Western nations, and that choice is made by a few individual and I doubt that majority of the people of Ukrain even understand or have any part in that decision, it is same in any other country but now that war has started
, it's the common people who had no part in that decision not have any idea about that suffers the most....

[djpomare]

America has bombed 32 countries since WWII 'in the name of peace' with losses to Nth Korea, Nth Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan.
32 countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala,
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan,
Syria, Tunisia, (Ukraine?), Vietnam, Yemen & Yugoslavia.

[khairi]

The fall of Soviet Union made NATO too strong to comprehend. NATO expanded it's military influence near to Russian border & logically must be stop. Ukraine as a former Soviet Union member must be wise enough to embrace democracy but at the same time not provoking Russian worries. Ukraine should just join European Union in economy not NATO as militarily.

[hakank]

I do understand where Putin is coming from for his own countries' security, but he better first question his own policies enforcing Ukraine to become a NATO member for its own security, not the other way around. His recent action clearly shows why Ukraine wants to become a NATO member.

[TheGamingREZ]

This video is so spot on! And I am saying this as someone from Ukraine