Superpowers Prepare to Clash- Tensions Rise Between Russia and NATO
By Caiden Leyva, Staff Writer

Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian Federation has become ever more aggressive toward ex-Soviet states. One particular nation that is under Russia’s gaze is the border nation Ukraine, and tensions have been rising between the two nations for almost a decade now ever since Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is currently sending soldiers and supplies over to Ukraine in preparation for conflict. Russia has done the same, sending 100,000 soldiers and heavy artillery to their border. As of right now, NATO, the U.S. and Russia have sent diplomats for peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland. There are still many unknowns surrounding this situation. Why is Russia just now taking action against Ukraine? What will the consequences be if war does indeed break out?
Tensions began to brew in February and March of 2014, when the Russian Federation annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Vladimir Putin stated the takeover was “to ensure proper conditions for the people of Crimea to be able to freely express their will;” however, many nations and individuals still view this as a hostile, forceful takeover.
In 2022, the Russian military has been gathering soldiers by the border of Ukraine. In a report by U.S. Intelligence, tens of thousands of troops have been recorded at the border in preparation of a “Multi-Front offensive” (Washington Post). NATO and Ukraine have done the same. Although Ukraine is not a member of NATO, they are a partner state which grants them some benefits of being a member but not all of them. The organization has voiced concerns about letting Ukraine join completely because it may further inflame Russia into a direct offensive.

What is the United States doing about the troubles? A nation that has their fingers in everybody’s pies must have some opinion on what happens in Ukraine. The United States is actually currently leading the peace negotiations in Geneva, but President Joe Biden has also told Putin on a phone call that if they attack, “Russia would face economic consequences like nothing they’ve ever seen.” (ABC News).
However, it appears that Biden’s threats against the Russian Federation are hollow. In a report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S is not a big enough trade partner to effectively wager trade rights with Russia. Any motion to embargo the Russians in the United Nations would ultimately be vetoed by Russia’s allies, and Russia actually holds the economic advantage over Europe. Russia holds the largest natural gas reserves in Europe, with 79% of all used natural gas in 2020 supplied by the Russian Federation (Gazprom). If the West were to interfere in a way that Russia didn’t approve, they would lose their electricity. In order for any sort of meaningful economic struggle to happen to Russia, all of Europe would need to unify against them.
The Russian Federation has frightened the world with their sudden action against Ukraine. NATO has begun supporting Ukraine, but they will not give their full support in the event of a future conflict. Peace talks have begun in Geneva, Switzerland, but should the Russians invade the former Soviet state, there will be a tragic loss of life on every side of the conflict. Hopefully, the United Nations will put their foot down and prevent any sort of catastrophe.