Russia shares no sign to dissolve its influence on Ukraine’s soil

The ongoing turmoil between Russia and Ukraine is experiencing breathtaking circumstances as more days are passing by. The most recent claim of Russia to declare two regions of Ukraine as independent has triggered all possibilities for a slow and steady intrusion that Vladimir Putin is planning with his armed forces. On Monday, February 21, Russia announced that Donetsk and Luhansk, both dominated by pro-Russian separatists as an independent. In a video message, Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for wreaking the peacekeeping efforts made by Russia. In a video message, the Czar of Kremlin quoted, “We are committed in peacekeeping and diplomatic path. We are in our own land and not afraid of anybody or anything”. 

The Russian counterpart also claimed of killing five army ‘saboteurs’ who crossed from Ukrainian territory. Although, the Ukrainian army has disregarded the claims of Russia and denoted the killings as a stunt of false attacks to create a more volatile circumstance. According to Reuters, within hours of Russia’s declaration on identifying two regions as independent, Russian troops along with armed tanks, military hardware, and software are sent to Donetsk. It is also said that Putin has signed a decree recognising the two Ukrainian regions as independent and also legalizing his troops in the region of Donbas. 

The United Nations for Security Council (UNSC) along with Britain, Japan, Germany has shown retaliation against Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine. The United States accused Russia of breaking previous accords and forcefully intimidating Ukraine to become a part of the previous Soviet state. The UN declared to sanction stringent imposition against Russia if it did not repeal its troops from Western Ukraine’s border. 

On the other side, irked by Russia’s ‘invasion mode’, America is working out on measures to squeeze Russia through a series of sanctions which they term as ‘mother of all sanctions’. As per a BBC report, the US sanctions on Russia may include; Financial Restrictions, which means that Russia would be excluded from Swift-a platform used as a global financial messaging service. This blockage will prevent Russian banks to operate and do business overseas. Block the Banks, the US could also blacklist some Russian Banks that will block the banks from transacting. Targeted Export Control, through this method the United States would restrict exports of some key commodore to Russia. The US could stop selling services containing American technologies. Lastly, Impose Energy Restrictions, this would mean that if any country does energy business with Russia, that country will be cornermen too. 

However, one of the most crucial questions lies is on the fact that can America actually implement such sanctions on Russia? And will it really affect Russia in a wider aspect? 

From exporting Russian Vodka, heavy ammunition to natural gas and oil, Russia has remained a steady player in these markets. If America imposes energy restrictions, the whole of Europe will freeze down to ice. Europe is dependent on Russia for about 35 per cent of its natural gas, mostly coming from the pipeline of Belarus. Russia’s oil is moved by Ukraine to Hungry, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, and Slovakia. It is absolutely not hidden that Europe is the biggest importer of Natural Gas from Russia as the gas used to keep the houses warm. Instead of room heating machines, European countries use natural gas to warm up their homes. It is also true that after Saudi Arabia, Russia is the world’s biggest exporter of oil and largest exporter of wheat grain. 

The prevailing war-like conflict between the two countries has jolted the share market tremendously. Russian stock market shank 17 per cent and European markets were also hard hit in the red. The tensions have already impacted the prices of fuel as per barrel of Brent crude oil has reached $98 dollars. 

Enforcing over 150000 military troops at the western of Ukraine, Kremlin seems to have no plan of returning back this time. The unprecedented situation waiting at the borders has made civilians in Ukraine especially, students from around the world in a state of fear. The looming war has now turned to be the western powers fighting against Russia that was once the Soviet Union holding the world’s largest territorial power.