Russia’s Western Border

Created by

Emma C

Cards (16)

Impact of Political revolutions across Eastern Europe in 1981 and breakup of USSR in 1991  
Cold War in 1980, competition between USSR and USA, each had to respect its spheres of influence and may cause war
Russia’s feelings of it’s sphere of influence in Eastern Europe  
Largest part of Soviet Union, Kalingard still part of Russia in 1991
Had puppet states eg Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria. Not part of Sovient Union but it their sphere of influence, stationed troops in their army so weren’t entirely independent
1989 Slovakia, Poland etc all became independent
1991 Soviet union collapse is border positions change
Considers many Russian speaking countries within its sphere of influence
EU expansion 2004 
Had eight nations join: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovak republic, Hungary
2007 Romania and Bulgaria joined
2009 EU in partnership, six former Soviet republics joined: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Mudora, and Ukraine
NATO 
North Atlantic Treaty organisation. Most powerful member is the US
Military alliance
why is the Russian government fearful of EU and NATO expansion into Eastern Europe? 
Could threaten its sphere of influence, remove Russian traditions, and thier allies
How has Russia responded to the loss of their sphere of influence? 
A hybrid war
Putin using smart power to increase Russian influence, partly soft power, e.g. offers of trade deals
Misinformation – a form of cyber warfare (negative soft power – makes rivals like NATO, but less attractive). Russia tried to post for Brexit posts in covert. EU and UK falling out suits them so they encouraged it.
Evidence of Russians involved in supporting trump via social media post
Russia, using hard power, e.g. bribery and military force – 2014. Tried to annex Crimea after Ukrainians pro-Russian leader, replaced by a pro-Western leader, mostly Russian speaking and used to be part of Russia until 1954.
A separate group is a group of people who want to break away form their own country or join another
how has Russia helped Russian speaking separate group in eastern Ukraine, 2014 to 2022 
Supplied with arms and money in Ukrainian, Civil War, but evidence of Russian forces in Ukraine. Denied by Russia.
Russian soldiers captured in Ukraine said they were lost, Russian soldiers found dead on the battlefield said anyone could buy a fake uniform. 4000 Russian soldiers awarded a combat medal.
Russia-Ukraine war, 2022 
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine
what is sanctions have been used by the US and EU in response? 
US and EU stopped buying Russian oil
Export bands, e.g. engines, microchips, other Western democracies, 20
Russian elites targeted with travel, bans and foreign property seized
what sanctions have been responded to by Russia? 
Have imposed counter sanctions e.g. cutting gas supply
India and China still buying Russian oil, which reduces the effectiveness
A time like before they work, hurt you and the enemy
what is the danger if sanctions fail?
Economic wars, other emerging powers may not be so worried, may encourage other countries to take force themselves
Only military force left, which could be highly dangerous
what is a proxy war?
Get someone else to fight on your behalf
US and EU using Ukrainian army as a proxy and provide weapons such as defence now expanded offense weapons like tanks
How have the EU and the USA use military force as a form of hard power? 
May try for a defence in case they try to invade elsewhere
Anywhere near Russia, provided with extra military forces
Placed on border for threat
why is Geo political instability in Ukraine dangerous for world peace
Finland and Sweden worried about Russian attacks, so applied to join NATO, meaning NATO troops and weapons are closer to the Russian border
Proxy wars can cause global wars and being involved yourself could accidentally escalate and threat of possible nuclear conflict
Russia could retaliate with nuclear force