Russia Started it! Do we need to even say it?

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been a focal point of international attention since its escalation in 2022. Recent statements by President Donald Trump have introduced controversial narratives, including claims that Ukraine initiated the war and characterizations of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator.” This comprehensive overview aims to clarify the sequence of events, underlying causes, key participants, and documented war crimes associated with the conflict, supported by credible sources.

Timeline of Key Events:

• February 2014: Annexation of Crimea

• Following Ukraine’s Euromaidan protests and the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, Russia annexed Crimea. This move was widely condemned internationally and marked a significant escalation in Russia-Ukraine tensions.

• April 2014: Donbas Conflict

• Pro-Russian separatists, with alleged support from Moscow, declared independence in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, leading to armed conflict in the Donbas area.

• February 2022: Full-Scale Invasion

• Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, advancing from multiple fronts, including Belarus, Russia, and Crimea. This act was met with global condemnation and led to severe economic sanctions against Russia.

• March 2022: Battle for Kyiv

• Russian forces advanced towards Kyiv but faced strong Ukrainian resistance. By early April, Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled the assault, and Russian troops retreated from the northern regions.

• May 2023: Fall of Bakhmut

• After nine months of intense fighting, Russian forces captured the city of Bakhmut. This battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides and was one of the war’s most prolonged engagements.

• June 2023: Wagner Group Mutiny

• Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, initiated a mutiny against Russia’s military leadership. His forces advanced towards Moscow but halted after negotiations. Prigozhin and his top lieutenants died in a plane crash two months later.

• August 2024: Ukrainian Incursion into Kursk

• Ukrainian forces conducted a surprising incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, marking a notable escalation in the conflict.

Analysis of President Trump’s Statements:

In February 2025, President Trump made assertions that Ukraine initiated the conflict and labeled President Zelenskyy a “dictator.” These claims have been widely scrutinized and fact-checked:

• Claim: Ukraine Started the War

• Historical records indicate that Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine were the initial aggressions leading to the current conflict. The full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022 further underscores Russia’s role as the aggressor.

• Claim: President Zelenskyy as a “Dictator”

• President Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019 with 73% of the vote. While martial law, imposed due to the invasion, has postponed elections—a measure not uncommon in wartime—labeling him a dictator is misleading. Recent polls indicate that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelenskyy, contradicting claims of minimal public support.

International Response:

Global leaders and organizations have largely supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and condemned Russia’s actions:

• United Nations

• The UN has consistently affirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent invasion.

• European Union

• The EU has imposed multiple sanctions on Russia and provided economic and military aid to Ukraine. European leaders have also refuted claims undermining Ukraine’s democratic leadership.

• NATO

• While Ukraine is not a NATO member, the alliance has bolstered its eastern flank and supplied military assistance to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of European security.

War Crimes and Human Rights Violations:

Numerous reports have documented war crimes and human rights abuses during the conflict:

• Bucha Massacre

• In April 2022, after Russian forces withdrew from Bucha, evidence emerged of mass civilian killings, leading to international outrage and calls for war crime investigations.

• Forced Deportations

• The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian officials, including President Putin, alleging the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children from occupied territories.

• Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure

• Multiple incidents have been reported where Russian missile and drone strikes targeted civilian areas, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.

The Sniff Test:

President Trump’s assertions that Ukraine initiated the conflict and that President Zelenskyy is a dictator do not align with established historical facts. The conflict’s origins trace back to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019 with significant public support. These discrepancies highlight the importance of critically evaluating statements against credible sources.

1. Claim: Ukraine started the war

Sniff Test Rating: ❌❌❌ (False)

• The evidence overwhelmingly shows that Russia initiated aggression with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.

• Sources:

• Commons Library: UK Parliament

• Reuters Timeline of Russian Invasion

2. Claim: Zelenskyy is a “dictator”

Sniff Test Rating: ❌❌ (Misleading)

• Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019 with 73% of the vote.

• His administration has postponed elections due to wartime conditions, which is not uncommon in active conflicts.

• Sources:

• Sky News: Fact-Checking Trump’s Statements

3. Claim: Zelenskyy’s approval rating is only 4%

Sniff Test Rating: ❌❌❌ (False)

• Polling data suggests his approval rating is 57% as of late 2024.