Previous Subchapter → 3.8 Streisand Effect
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Russia has been in competition with Western nations since 1917, when the Communists overthrew the Western-allied Russian Empire and later formed the Soviet Union
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Western nations invaded Russia to overthrow the Communists, but were defeated
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Since then the Soviet Union was in contest with Western powers, except for a brief pause during World War 2, where the 2 sides united to defeat Fascism
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After World War 2, the Soviet Union took control of huge sections of Europe, forming the “Eastern Bloc”, Western nations formed the “Western Bloc” to contest them, creating a Western military alliance called NATO
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In the 1980s a new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, decided to withdraw his country from the Eastern Bloc and give Eastern Bloc nations the freedom to choose for themselves
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The Soviet leadership asked for promises that NATO wouldn’t expand into former Eastern Bloc countries after the withdrawal, NATO leaders made these promises
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In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union collapsed, the nations part of this union became independent countries
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This led to many power struggles, and some groups in these new countries wanted to become independent, leading to separatist conflicts, the result was a series of conflicts known as the Post-Soviet Wars
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Russia brought many of these conflicts to an end by sending troops and military aid to several separatist states, allowing them to become independent
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At the same time, NATO was expanded, and started carrying out offensive military operations abroad in several regions and countries
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NATO expansion and increased activity caused anger in Russia and a perception that NATO was a threat
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When NATO expansion into Ukraine became a serious prospect, Russia invaded Ukraine to try and prevent this
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Ultimate responsibility for this invasion lies with Russia, but NATO had a part to play by expanding its presence and activity rather than winding down after the Soviet withdrawal
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Russia’s reason isn’t justified, because with Russia’s nuclear arsenal, they can easily deter any invader