Putin, Ukraine, and Security Dilemma: Analysis of Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Its Consequence

Abstract

This paper analyzes the factors that led Russia to invade Ukraine and draw important lessons from this war. The major findings of this are that the causes of the war are more varied and run deeper than just the personality of Putin. The domestic factors and structural conditions suggest that this war was not simply the outcome of a deeply personal reaction of an authoritarian leader. Putin started the special military operation and invaded Ukraine. Putin overestimated the military power of Russias army and underestimated the Ukrainian peoples loyalty and affiliation to their government. The West also misjudged the severity of bringing former Soviet satellites into North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Russias geopolitical environment has also deteriorated. Russias image as a major power collapsed after the slogging military operation. And the sanctions followed by the Russian armys invasion have affected Russias economy, which made Russia the most-sanctioned country in the world.