Realist Theory Perspective on Ukraine Russia War

The Events Leading up to and including the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine can be traced back to a series of events beginning with Putin’s rise to power in Russia and the plot to overthrow pro-Russian leaders in Ukraine by Boris Berezovsky and other anti-Putin oligarchs (Mohiuddin 2007, 681). Among the most notable individuals and states involved in these circumstances were Russia under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine, NATO, and the United States, as well as non-state actors such as separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

The groundwork for this conflict was laid with the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, which left a power vacuum in the region and altered geopolitical landscapes. Russia faced a diminished global influence, saw NATO's eastward expansion, and eventually Ukraine's intention to join the alliance, as a threat to its national security and sphere of influence (Karabeshkin and Spechler 2007, 307). Anti-Putin oligarchs like Berezovsky saw Ukraine as a lever with which to attack Putin’s Russia.

The situation deteriorated further after the color revolution of 2003-4, which saw Yanukovych’s election overturned thanks in part to protests supported by Berezovsky and others. Elected a few years later, Yanukovych again faced opposition in the form of the 2013-2014 Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, which resulted in his fleeing to Russia and a pro-western government being formed in Kiev (Britannica 2023). The pro-Western government in Ukraine fought with pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine, who wanted to be part of Russia. This caused Russia to annex Crimea in 2014, following a vote by Crimeans favoring such action. Putin’s actions were said to protect ethnic Russians and Russian speakers, a decision widely condemned as a violation of international law by the West. Subsequent events involved pro-Russian separatist movements in Eastern Ukraine, namely Donetsk and Luhansk, which kept up the ongoing war in that region (Britannica 2023). By 2022, when diplomatic efforts failed to de-escalate tensions, Russia proceeded with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That war continues to drag on, as Ukraine is supported by the West, including the US, UK, France, Poland and other nations in NATO, with money and weapons to continue the war. Russia, on the other hand, is ipso facto being supported by China and the Global South.

This event is a perfect illustration of the Realism theory in international relations. Realism postulates that states are the primary actors in international politics and that their actions are driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power, often at the expense of ethical considerations. In this context, Russia's invasion is seen as an effort to safeguard its regional dominance and national security, despite international condemnation and potential ramifications.

Realism also emphasizes the anarchic nature of the international system, meaning there is no overarching authority to enforce international law or agreements. As such, states must rely on their own resources and strategies to ensure their survival. This was evident when Russia violated Ukrainian sovereignty, despite international law, demonstrating a classic case of power politics.

Furthermore, the role of non-state actors, such as the separatists in Eastern Ukraine, can also be viewed through the lens of Realism. These actors, though not states themselves, have been useful in the advance of Russian interests and influence in the region. This reveals the complex character of power politics.