2.2 A Potential Crisis in Ukraine

Russian troops are amassed near the Ukrainian border, in an escalation of the crisis that has been building since the invasion of 2014. Just yesterday, Putin and Biden exchanged ultimatums regarding the consequences of any potential Russian military invasion of Ukraine, with the potential of a "complete breakdown" of the relationship between the US and Russia in the air. How did Ukraine become a flashpoint in international affairs? What does Russia seek to gain? Why is the US so concerned? What role does the EU and NATO play in the situation? What do Ukrainians want? In this episode, our host Terry McDonald is joined by Dr. Matthew Crandall, Professor of International Relations at Tallinn University, to talk about what is driving all these actors to the brink in Ukraine.