title: Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine: An Analysis of Provocative Statements by Key Western Actors
abstract: The Russian special military operation in Ukraine is a continuation of politics by other means. There are several factors that triggered it, but the primary being NATO’s agenda to expand to Russia’s border, using Ukraine’s indication to become its member as a pretext. Ukraine is a sovereign country and has the right to move westward, but at the same time, Russia’s security concerns cannot be ignored. Ukraine’s membership in NATO is an invitation for the latter to come too close to Russia. If the