The United States
There is no threat to American security from the conflict and America has limited economic interests in the Ukraine. The role of the United States comes from some limited economic and security interests and mostly ideological and geopolitical interests.
The United States Government's Interests
The United Stated wants to expand its energy export markets. It wants to mitigate the power and influence of Russia in Europe and the eastern European region. America is interested in keeping Russia from expanding its military and sea power by limiting their military expansion. America also wants to continue to spread democracy into the region and keep the Ukraine heading in the direction of a free democratic state. This is both for political ideology and for economic benefit. It is good for trade to have Ukraine a free democratic country.
The United State Governments' Fears and Insecurities
The United States fears that Russia will invade the Ukraine. Their fear is that this expansion will increase Russia’s economic and political influence in the area. It will also undermine American efforts to increase democracy and their own economic influence. The threat of Russia could also undermine and hurt American led coalitions such as NATO and other alliances. They fear looking weak against Russia’s aggressive and hostile actions.
There is no threat to American security from the conflict and America has limited economic interests in the Ukraine. The role of the United States comes from some limited economic and security interests and mostly ideological and geopolitical interests.
The United States Government's Interests
The United Stated wants to expand its energy export markets. It wants to mitigate the power and influence of Russia in Europe and the eastern European region. America is interested in keeping Russia from expanding its military and sea power by limiting their military expansion. America also wants to continue to spread democracy into the region and keep the Ukraine heading in the direction of a free democratic state. This is both for political ideology and for economic benefit. It is good for trade to have Ukraine a free democratic country.
The United State Governments' Fears and Insecurities
The United States fears that Russia will invade the Ukraine. Their fear is that this expansion will increase Russia’s economic and political influence in the area. It will also undermine American efforts to increase democracy and their own economic influence. The threat of Russia could also undermine and hurt American led coalitions such as NATO and other alliances. They fear looking weak against Russia’s aggressive and hostile actions.
The Russian Government
Russia has a long history and relationship with Crimea and the Ukraine. Many of its ideological and political interests stem from this history. Russia also has many economic and security interests in the Ukraine which lies on its borders.
The Russian Government's Interests
Russia has many economic interests with the Ukraine. It has many gas pipelines that cross the Ukraine from Russia into Europe. They also other industrial and trade interests with the Eastern part of Ukraine. Russia entered into Eurasian Customs Union trade agreement with the Ukraine to allow for free trade between the countries.
Russia also provides natural gas to the Ukraine as well as the rest of Europe. Russia also sees this as an opportunity for mitigating the influence and strength of NATO and the EU. There is a security interest for military positions of themselves and their possible enemies. The Ukraine was originally set up a borderland between the Soviet Union and the rest of Europe. They also have political and ideological interests in the Ukraine, especially in Crimea. Crimea has long been a part of Russia and it has a lot of history and is a part of the Russian national identity.
The Russian Government's Fears and Insecurities
Russia fears that the Ukraine will join the EU and then NATO. It will weaken Russia’s sphere of influence in the region and strengthen their rivals military advantage and influence in the region. They also fear that they will lose control of the gas pipelines that pass through the Ukraine into Europe therefore weakening their economic power over Europe as the sole provider of much of the natural gas. They fear that there may be unexplored natural resources that can compete with their own supplies of natural gas and minerals and therefore weaken their economy. Russia fears that if Ukraine joins the EU, that the EU will flood the Russian market with products and goods through Ukraine’s free trade agreements with Russia.
Russia has a long history and relationship with Crimea and the Ukraine. Many of its ideological and political interests stem from this history. Russia also has many economic and security interests in the Ukraine which lies on its borders.
The Russian Government's Interests
Russia has many economic interests with the Ukraine. It has many gas pipelines that cross the Ukraine from Russia into Europe. They also other industrial and trade interests with the Eastern part of Ukraine. Russia entered into Eurasian Customs Union trade agreement with the Ukraine to allow for free trade between the countries.
Russia also provides natural gas to the Ukraine as well as the rest of Europe. Russia also sees this as an opportunity for mitigating the influence and strength of NATO and the EU. There is a security interest for military positions of themselves and their possible enemies. The Ukraine was originally set up a borderland between the Soviet Union and the rest of Europe. They also have political and ideological interests in the Ukraine, especially in Crimea. Crimea has long been a part of Russia and it has a lot of history and is a part of the Russian national identity.
The Russian Government's Fears and Insecurities
Russia fears that the Ukraine will join the EU and then NATO. It will weaken Russia’s sphere of influence in the region and strengthen their rivals military advantage and influence in the region. They also fear that they will lose control of the gas pipelines that pass through the Ukraine into Europe therefore weakening their economic power over Europe as the sole provider of much of the natural gas. They fear that there may be unexplored natural resources that can compete with their own supplies of natural gas and minerals and therefore weaken their economy. Russia fears that if Ukraine joins the EU, that the EU will flood the Russian market with products and goods through Ukraine’s free trade agreements with Russia.
President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. Many of his interests and fears regarding this conflict are in line with those of the rest of Russia. Yet there is a personal aspect for him. Despite the economic lose caused by sanctions and growing disapproval of his actions due to this, he continues to increase Russia’s presence in the conflict.
Putin's Interests
Putin wants to create a Ukrainian federation where pro-Russian provinces would have autonomy. Putin also wants to prevent the Ukraine to join NATO. He wants to maintain and increase his personal influence in the Ukraine by being able to influence the politics of the region. He also wants to keep economic power over Ukraine by maintaining their dependence on Russian natural gas and resources. He also wants be perceived as an important figure to the Ukrainian people. This is an opportunity for him to show his strength and defiance to the western powers. His interests lie beyond economic and security and into those of ego.
Putin's Fears and Insecurities
Putin perceives Ukraine joining the EU and NATO as a threat to his own power in Russia and the region. He does not want to be seen as allowing Crimea and the Ukraine to leave Russia under his watch.
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. Many of his interests and fears regarding this conflict are in line with those of the rest of Russia. Yet there is a personal aspect for him. Despite the economic lose caused by sanctions and growing disapproval of his actions due to this, he continues to increase Russia’s presence in the conflict.
Putin's Interests
Putin wants to create a Ukrainian federation where pro-Russian provinces would have autonomy. Putin also wants to prevent the Ukraine to join NATO. He wants to maintain and increase his personal influence in the Ukraine by being able to influence the politics of the region. He also wants to keep economic power over Ukraine by maintaining their dependence on Russian natural gas and resources. He also wants be perceived as an important figure to the Ukrainian people. This is an opportunity for him to show his strength and defiance to the western powers. His interests lie beyond economic and security and into those of ego.
Putin's Fears and Insecurities
Putin perceives Ukraine joining the EU and NATO as a threat to his own power in Russia and the region. He does not want to be seen as allowing Crimea and the Ukraine to leave Russia under his watch.