Nowadays, the Ukrainian people go through increased suffering, challenges, and uncertainty due to Russia’s invasion. Some countries support Ukraine and the UN, while others believe that Vladimir Putin holds the correct position in the conflict and that Russia’s actions are necessary. Professor John Mearsheimer expresses his views on the topic and lists the causes of the military conflict that he believes are the key. His arguments and evidence seem credible, and after watching the video, I became certain that the primary cause of the problem is that Ukraine is severely divided as a country.
Many people tend to blame the Russians and their president for making the situation so terrible. However, as stated by Mearsheimer, the West is more responsible because the US and its allies are highly interested in owning Ukraine (The University of Chicago). However, Russia cannot allow this to happen and uses any strategy to prevent the westernization of its border country. These explanations of the deep cause of the conflict sound appealing and truthful. The US and Europe have an interest in Ukraine, and considering that the country is divided between those supporting the UN and those supporting Russia, the nation as a whole cannot decide whether to join the West.
Regarding the current US strategy to influence Russia through sanctions, I also agree with Mearsheimer that it is currently ineffective. It will likely not be successful in the future (The University of Chicago). A different tactic should be selected to address the entire situation.
To conclude, the video offers an unconventional perspective on the matter. Instead of blaming Russia for being willing to expand its power, the professor refers to the US and European interests in Ukraine and their primary responsibility in the conflict, as well as the fact that it became military. Putin’s reaction may be justified to some extent by his desire to protect the borders of Russia and prevent Ukraine’s westernization.
Works Cited
“Why is Ukraine the West’s Fault? Featuring John Mearsheimer.” YouTube, uploaded by the University of Chicago, 2015.