Russia and Ukraine tensions continue to escalate

Tensions are continuing to rise between Russia and Ukraine, after U.S. and Russian diplomats contended over the situation at the U.N.

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Vladimir Putin is looking to increase Russia’s influence in Eastern Europe by reconstituting Ukraine as part of the Russian Federation.

So far, Russia has sent nearly 100,000 troops to the Ukraine border, and has demanded that NATO leave Ukraine out of their alliance. Professor Philip Seib, an expert in international news coverage, says the biggest question now is whether or not Russia will use that military force.

PHILIP SEIB: Part of the Russian strategy, apparently, is to stir up at least the ethnic Russians and and have them basically call for help from mother Russia. And then Putin could say, “Well, I’m not really invading. I’m just responding to a call for help from fellow Russians.”

Many Americans are wondering how the U.S. plans to respond to this tension, if at all. Professor Seib seems to think that America will hold back.

PHILIP SEIB: Certainly, particularly after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would suspect there’s a strong, strong sentiment within the United States against sending American forces to fight someplace that most Americans cannot find on a map.

Seib also mentioned that since the end of World War II, the U.S. and Europe have been trying to keep things between themselves and Russia calm. Despite this, USC junior Sasha Benke, who is a dual citizen of Russia and the U.S., is apprehensive about whether a war will break out.

SASHA BENKE: I think what would make sense is some kind of diplomatic resolution. But as we’ve seen throughout Putin’s entire leadership style, his reign, whatever you want to call it, he uses intimidation as a huge, huge aspect of like gaining respect.

Benke thinks this intimidation is one of the biggest reasons for the ongoing conflict.

SASHA BENKE: People think that the issue is dividing Ukrainians and Russians when in reality, like no one identifies with their administration wholeheartedly. There’s, of course, a level of respect, but no one wants to go to war. You know, no one wants to. No one wants any unnecessary blood to be shed.

However, Professor Robert English, an expert on Russian politics, believes that the U.S’ recent actions may be an indication of increasing danger.

ROBERT ENGLISH: The U.S. government and also the British. We announced that we were pulling out all non-essential diplomatic personnel from Ukraine and all the families. That’s a really scary sign. That’s what happens when conflict is imminent.

Professor English is slated to lead a study abroad program to a former Soviet Union area in Central Asia. The trip hasn’t been impacted by the conflict, giving him “a glimmer of hope.”

ROBERT ENGLISH: If we got students going over there and the academic exchanges and other business programs are continuing, well, then maybe we’re not on the edge of war.

However, this situation is still developing day by day. What it looks like today might be completely different next week.