The Tensions Between Russia and Ukraine: Explained

The Tensions Between , Russia and Ukraine: Explained.<br />The Tensions Between , Russia and Ukraine: Explained.<br />Tensions continue to build between the Eastern European nation of Ukraine and Russia.<br />These tensions expand beyond <br />borders, straining U.S. / Russia relations, .<br />as well as Russia's relations with other NATO member nations in the surrounding area of the EU.<br />Ukraine declared its independence from <br />the former USSR in 1991.<br />The area had been a part of the <br />Russian empire for centuries.<br />In 2014, former Ukraine President Victor Yanukovych sought to strengthen ties to Moscow...<br />... by rejecting an <br />agreement of association with the EU.<br />Yanukovych was ousted, and Russia responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula area of the Ukraine.<br />Russia also supported an insurgency effort in the eastern part of the Ukraine, .<br />allegedly supplying the rebels with weapons <br />and Russian troops.<br />allegedly supplying the rebels with weapons <br />and Russian troops.<br />Since the annexation of Crimea, more than 14,000 people have been killed due to violence in the area.<br />A 2015 cease-fire agreement brokered by Germany and France quelled the violence, .<br />but violations of the agreement <br />have spiked in recent months.<br />Now, a Russian force of about 175,000 troops is expected to be positioned at the Ukraine border.<br />Now, a Russian force of about 175,000 troops is expected to be positioned at the Ukraine border.<br />Russian President Vladimir Putin consistently refers to Ukrainians and Russians as "one people.".<br />U.S. President Joe Biden has <br />warned Putin that the U.S. <br />will make it "very, very difficult" <br />for Russia to invade Ukraine