General parameter of the war
In February 2024, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine turns two years old. Since its inception, terrible humanitarian, economic and political impacts have been felt, not only in the countries in question, but also across the globe, such as rising fuel and food prices. As a result, the international community, with the exception of some countries, condemned the Russian invasion and imposed severe sanctions on the country's economy, practically isolating it from the globe.
In return, the country led by Volodymyr Zelenski approached the West, mainly the United States and the European Union, which began to provide economic, military and humanitarian aid to the country. Despite all the negative consequences for both parties, the Kremlin, with its motivations to expand its sphere of influence and prevent Ukraine's rapprochement with the West, has no intention of backing off its actions on Ukrainian territory until its objectives are achieved. In this way, the path to ending the conflict remains blurred amid negotiations.
Crucial developments at the end of 2023
With no foreseeable end in sight, the international media community has been following the development of the dispute to not only try to suggest an outcome to the situation, but also to understand how the conflict drastically interferes with the global order. Therefore, there are recent events that are key to understanding current affairs in Eastern Europe.
In June 2023, Ukraine received the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union, so the Russian leader's worst nightmare is about to come true. In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree confirming the annexation of four Ukrainian regions after holding referendums in the regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is located. In addition to this crucial development, there were other relevant moments in the last year. At the end of November, the European Union recognized Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state that uses means of terrorism, continuing the current diplomatic isolation.
Latest updates on the conflict in 2024
The conflict that has been going on for practically two years has already presented relevant events in the year 2024. More precisely at the beginning of this month of February, Putin stated in an interview with an American journalist that a defeat by Russia in Ukraine is “impossible” and also pointed out to American leaders that "If they really want to stop fighting, they must stop supplying weapons." In return, the Ukrainian leader thanked the foreign military support after suffering yet another Russian attack, this time on February 10 in the city of Kharkiv, which left around 7 dead.
The following day, Ukraine suggested that Russia had stolen its Starlink internet, provided in 2022 by billionaire Elon Musk's company, in occupied territories. On February 13, a Ukrainian research center concluded, in a preliminary analysis, that a Russian hypersonic missile was used in an attack on Kiev the previous week. The Russian defense ministry has not commented on the use of the missile, which, if confirmed, would represent the first time it has been used in war. This accusation comes amid Putin's promise to retaliate against the European Union's decision to reserve profits made from frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank.
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to be a point of great international concern, with significant humanitarian, political and economic consequences. As clashes persist and tensions intensify, the world is watching closely in search of a solution that will bring stability to the region and avoid an even greater escalation of the conflict.
By Natalia Alves dos Santos e Silva on 20/02/2024
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