Let us please begin with fifty uncomfortable facts about Ukraine:
The reasons behind Russia’s invasion of parts of Ukraine in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022 are complex and rooted in historical, political, and strategic factors.
1. Post-Soviet Legacy and Russian-Ukrainian Relations
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became an independent nation. However, Russia continued to view Ukraine as within its sphere of influence due to historical, cultural, and economic ties. Ukraine’s increasing moves towards Western integration were seen by Moscow as a threat to its geopolitical standing.
2. NATO and Western Expansion
Russia has long been wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, which included former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact members. Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union (EU) were perceived by Russia as encroachment by the West. Moscow saw this as a direct threat to its national security, fearing NATO military infrastructure on its borders.
3. The 2014 Euromaidan Revolution
In 2013–2014, large-scale protests erupted in Ukraine (Euromaidan) after pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned an EU Association Agreement in favour of closer ties with Russia. The protests led to Yanukovych’s removal, which Russia viewed as an illegal coup orchestrated by the West. In response, Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, citing the need to protect Russian speakers and its strategic interests, particularly the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
4. The Annexation of Crimea and Donbas Conflict
Following the annexation of Crimea, pro-Russian separatist movements emerged in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, leading to an armed conflict. Russia provided support to these separatists, though it officially denied direct involvement. The war in Donbas resulted in over 14,000 deaths by 2022.
5. Russian Nationalism and Historical Claims
Vladimir Putin has frequently asserted that Ukraine is historically and culturally part of Russia, arguing that it is an artificial state created by Soviet leaders. He has downplayed Ukraine’s sovereignty and framed the conflict as a historical reunification effort, particularly in speeches leading up to the 2022 invasion.
6. Security and Strategic Interests
Beyond NATO concerns, Russia also sought to secure its energy and military interests. Ukraine was a major transit country for Russian gas exports to Europe, and control over its territory provided leverage. Additionally, a pro-Western Ukraine could undermine Russia’s influence in the post-Soviet space.
7. The 2022 Full-Scale Invasion
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion, citing the need to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine. This justification was widely dismissed by Western nations as propaganda. Russia also claimed it was protecting Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine. However, many analysts believe the invasion aimed to topple Ukraine’s government and reassert Russian dominance in the region.
8. Western Sanctions and Global Responses
The invasion led to severe economic sanctions against Russia, widespread international condemnation, and increased Western military support for Ukraine. Instead of weakening NATO, the war led to its expansion, with Finland and Sweden seeking membership.
In summary, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is driven by a mix of historical claims, security concerns, geopolitical competition, and nationalistic ideology. While Russia argues it is defending its interests, Ukraine and its allies see the invasion as an aggressive violation of sovereignty and international law. The conflict continues to shape global politics, with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
Galloway Vs Morgan: The Knockout
5 minutes of George Galloway massacring Piers Morgan once again pic.twitter.com/5sFyzockPH
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) February 28, 2025
For those who blame Russia, let us take a look at how the West has behaved for centuries:
The history of Western imperialism is a vast and intricate tapestry, woven with the ambitions, strategies, and consequences of individual nations, each contributing to the broader narrative of global domination. To fully appreciate this history, it is essential to delve into the specific roles played by key Western powers, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Each of these nations pursued imperialism in distinct ways, shaped by their unique historical contexts, economic motivations, and geopolitical strategies. This essay will explore their individual stories, providing detailed examples and analysis to illuminate the multifaceted nature of Western imperialism.
The United Kingdom: ‘The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire‘
The British Empire stands as the most extensive and influential imperial power in history, with its reach spanning every continent. The origins of British imperialism can be traced to the late 16th century, when England, seeking to challenge Spanish and Portuguese dominance, began its own voyages of exploration. The establishment of the British East India Company in 1600 marked the beginning of Britain’s formal involvement in overseas expansion. Initially focused on trade, the Company gradually transitioned to territorial control, particularly in India.
The British conquest of India is a quintessential example of imperialism. Following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the East India Company gained control of Bengal, using its wealth and military power to expand its influence. By the mid-19th century, the Company ruled much of the subcontinent, exploiting its resources and people. The Indian Rebellion of 1857, however, prompted the British Crown to assume direct control, establishing the British Raj. Under colonial rule, India was transformed into a supplier of raw materials, such as cotton and jute, and a market for British manufactured goods. The construction of railways and the imposition of English education served both economic and cultural imperialist aims, but they also sowed the seeds of Indian nationalism, which would eventually lead to independence in 1947.
Beyond India, Britain’s imperial ambitions extended to Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century saw Britain acquire vast territories, including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. In South Africa, the discovery of diamonds and gold fueled conflict with the Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, culminating in the brutal Anglo-Boer Wars (1899–1902). Britain’s victory consolidated its control over the region, but it also highlighted the human cost of imperialism.
The British Empire’s global reach was underpinned by its naval supremacy and industrial might. The phrase “the sun never sets on the British Empire” encapsulated its vastness. Yet, this dominance came at a price. The exploitation of colonies often led to economic dependency and social disruption, while the imposition of British values and institutions sparked resistance. The legacy of British imperialism is complex, marked by both infrastructural development and enduring inequalities.
The United States: ‘From Continental Expansion to Global Hegemony‘
The United States’ imperial trajectory differs from that of European powers, shaped by its unique history as a former colony. In the 19th century, the U.S. focused on continental expansion, driven by the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which held that Americans were destined to spread across North America. This expansion involved the displacement and subjugation of Native American populations, as well as the annexation of territories such as Texas and California following the Mexican-American War (1846–1848).
By the late 19th century, the U.S. turned its attention overseas, marking the beginning of its formal imperialism. The Spanish-American War of 1898 was a pivotal moment. The U.S. defeated Spain, acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, while also establishing a protectorate over Cuba. The annexation of the Philippines, in particular, sparked a brutal conflict known as the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), in which hundreds of thousands of Filipinos died resisting American rule.
In the early 20th century, the U.S. pursued a policy of “dollar diplomacy,” using economic influence to expand its interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. This often involved military intervention, as seen in the occupation of Haiti (1915–1934) and the Dominican Republic (1916–1924). The construction of the Panama Canal, completed in 1914, further cemented U.S. dominance in the region.
After World War II, the U.S. emerged as a global superpower, adopting a more informal approach to imperialism. Through institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as military alliances such as NATO, the U.S. exerted influence over much of the world. The Cold War saw the U.S. intervene in countries such as Vietnam, Korea, and Chile, often supporting authoritarian regimes to counter communism. This period of American hegemony has left a lasting impact, shaping global politics and economics to this day.
France: ‘The Civilising Mission‘
France’s imperial history is characterised by its “mission civilisatrice,” or civilising mission, which sought to spread French culture and values. French imperialism began in the 17th century with the establishment of colonies in North America, such as Quebec, and in the Caribbean, including Haiti. The loss of most of these territories following the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) shifted France’s focus to Africa and Asia.
In the 19th century, France embarked on a campaign of colonial expansion, particularly in North and West Africa. The conquest of Algeria, beginning in 1830, was marked by brutal suppression of resistance and the expropriation of land. By the early 20th century, France controlled much of West Africa, including Senegal, Mali, and Ivory Coast, as well as territories in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, collectively known as French Indochina.
French colonial rule was often justified as a means of bringing progress and enlightenment to “backward” societies. However, this rhetoric masked the exploitative nature of imperialism. In Indochina, for example, the French imposed heavy taxes and forced labour to develop infrastructure, such as railways, primarily for the benefit of the colonial economy. Resistance to French rule was widespread, culminating in the First Indochina War (1946–1954), which ended with France’s defeat at Dien Bien Phu and the eventual independence of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
France’s colonial legacy is deeply contested. While it left behind a Francophone cultural sphere and institutions modelled on the French system, it also entrenched economic disparities and political instability in many former colonies.
Spain and Portugal: ‘The First Wave of Imperialism‘
Spain and Portugal were pioneers of European imperialism, driven by the desire for wealth and the spread of Christianity. Portugal’s maritime empire began in the 15th century with the exploration of the African coast and the establishment of trading posts in India, such as Goa. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, granting Portugal control over Brazil.
Spain’s empire, meanwhile, was built on the conquest of the Americas. The expeditions of Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro led to the fall of the Aztec and Inca empires, respectively. The extraction of gold and silver from the Americas financed Spain’s dominance in Europe, but it also led to the devastation of indigenous populations through disease, forced labour, and violence.
By the 19th century, both Spain and Portugal had lost much of their empires. Spain’s remaining colonies, such as Cuba and the Philippines, were lost following the Spanish-American War, while Portugal retained control of African territories, including Angola and Mozambique, until the mid-20th century. The legacy of Iberian imperialism is evident in the widespread use of Spanish and Portuguese in Latin America and parts of Africa, as well as the enduring influence of Catholicism.
The Netherlands: ‘Commerce and Control‘
The Dutch Empire was primarily a commercial enterprise, centred on the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Established in 1602, the VOC dominated the spice trade in Southeast Asia, establishing a foothold in present-day Indonesia. The Dutch also controlled territories in the Caribbean, such as Suriname, and briefly held New Amsterdam (modern-day New York) in North America.
Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia was characterised by economic exploitation and forced labour, particularly under the Cultivation System (1830–1870), which required peasants to grow cash crops for export. Resistance to Dutch rule culminated in the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949), which led to independence.
Belgium and Germany: ‘Latecomers to Imperialism‘
Belgium and Germany were latecomers to imperialism, but their actions had profound consequences. King Leopold II of Belgium’s personal exploitation of the Congo Free State (1885–1908) is one of the most egregious examples of imperial brutality. Millions of Congolese died under his regime, which prioritised rubber extraction over human life. International outcry eventually forced Leopold to cede control to the Belgian state, but the damage had been done.
Germany, unified in 1871, sought to establish its own colonial empire, acquiring territories in Africa (such as Namibia and Tanzania) and the Pacific. German rule was often harsh, as seen in the Herero and Nama genocide in Namibia (1904–1908), where tens of thousands were killed. Germany’s colonies were lost following its defeat in World War I.
And it continues as propaganda disguises one part of history and explicitly portrays another. Study history with an open mind and most importantly of all, with FACTS.
