Tensions are high in Eastern Europe after about 100,000 troops have been stationed near Ukraine’s border. 

Putin’s reasoning behind the threats of war with Ukraine are uncertain as there is no certain demand coming from Russia. If the invasion is a success for Russia, they could be established in Eastern Europe as a dominant power. Therefore, other democratic countries could be more vulnerable to authoritarian countries when it comes to being taken over. 

The U.S. and its allies have been providing Ukraine with military aid and has made the statement that Ukraine would join NATO (a political and military alliance from Europe and North America). However, Russia has stated in its list of demands a pledge disallowing Ukraine to join NATO and to take Eastern European troops out of NATO. Biden’s response included that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO in the near future, and he disregarded taking troops out of the alliance. 

While some Russian experts have agreed that war could damage Russia’s economy, others have argued that Putin has simply lost patience with Ukraine. Biden has also made the statement that these minor conflicts shouldn’t get the U.S. involved any time soon.