There is a situation of confrontation between Russia and Ukraine (Russia-Ukraine Conflict). Big powers around the world are trying to normalize the situation. India has also appealed to both sides to exercise restraint. But, under the guise of Ukraine, a game of trial is going on between the two superpowers. To understand this, we have to go back a little. Let us try to know about this whole matter.
Joe Biden became the President of America in 2021. A few months later, the situation of confrontation started on the border of Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, Russia was fighting this war under the guise of separatists from the Donbass region of Ukraine. Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting in this area for nearly eight years. During this time, Ukraine has not been able to free Luhansk and Donetsk from separatists’ occupation due to Russian influence.
After Bidne became president in the US in 2021, the situation in the border area of Russia and Ukraine began to change. Biden decided to challenge Putin. This directly meant a new beginning of tension between the two superpowers. Ukraine began to become the ground of this confrontation. Russia deployed its army on the Ukrainian border. On the other hand, Ukraine started getting diplomatic support from America. Europe started patting Ukraine on the back from a distance.
There is another aspect to this issue as well. That is the energy crisis in Europe that started about five months ago. It was in the hands of Russia to end this crisis. Russian state-owned Gazprom is another part of the issue. Gas prices in Europe are rising due to reduced supplies from Russia. It is a signal from Putin to Europe that how much influence Russia can exert on the European continent. However, the US has rejected three major demands of Russia. These include stopping NATO expansion, avoiding the deployment of dangerous weapons along the Russian border, and bringing NATO infrastructure in Europe to pre-1997 levels.
On the other hand, America has signaled to Russia that it will either have to come forward for talks or be ready for an aggressive American stand. This is the reason why America is repeatedly talking about a Russian attack on Ukraine soon. On the other hand, Putin wants Europe to do its part in avoiding this conflict after understanding Russia’s value as a supplier of fuel. The warmth in Russia’s relationship with Germany testifies to this. Germany’s new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is soft on Russia. Gerhard Schröder, the former chancellor of his party SPD, has been on the board of Gazprom. He has had close ties with Putin.
Now let’s understand the oil game a little. Germany gets 50 to 75 percent of its gas requirement from Russia. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is set to supply 110 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Europe. This will double the supply from Nord Stream 1 to Europe now. Looking at the map, it is seen that the Nord Stream 2 is entering Germany through the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. This is very important for Europe’s energy security. In such a situation, Russia is trying to maintain its influence on Europe as a fuel supplier.
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