When did the conflict in Ukraine really begin?

Capt Jeff S. — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:59:22 -0400

We have been told that Putin started the war in Ukraine. But war has many sides. It isn't just limited to bullets flying. War can be economic. The Chinese are engaged in an economic war against the US... We are using Ukraine to fight a proxy war against Russia. Those aren't my words... they came straight from Congressman Adam Schiff.

Sooo, when did the conflict in Ukraine really begin? Did it start when Russia invaded Crimea? Or did it start before that? What is different about Ukraine that Putin invaded compared to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, all of which joined NATO in 2004 but did not receive the same response from Russia? Do you think there was a trigger and if so, what was it that caused Putin to invade?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made May 4 at 2023 8:08 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 04 May 2023 08:08:33 -0400

The name Ukraine may come from slavic entymology and it means borderland. I surmise there has been very little peace here ever

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made May 4 at 2023 8:10 AM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Thu, 04 May 2023 08:10:11 -0400

February 24, 2022 - That is the date Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 4 at 2023 10:36 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 04 May 2023 10:36:59 -0400

A couple of differences between the Baltic states and Ukraine. 1. The traditional route to invade Russia from the West has been though Ukraine. 2. The Baltic States are relatively small and don't control Russian access to the Baltic. 3. Ukraine's Eastern Oblast's have a large/majority ethnic Russian population that really don't want to be Ukrainian. 4. Ukraine held land access to the Crimea and Sevastopol/Home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
There are always to sides of a War. If you don't understand what the other side wants, it's pretty damn had to negotiate a settlement.