On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia had no choice but to intervene in Ukraine. "The United States and its allies have crossed all possible lines in their drive to bring Kiev into their orbit," he told a security conference in Moscow. "That could not have failed to trigger our reaction." Citing the West's military actions in Serbia, Libya, and Iraq, Shoigu argued that the "vehement critics of Russian actions in Crimea surely have no moral right to accuse us of violating international law." Russia annexed Crimea after a stealth occupation of the peninsula.
Russia contends that the U.S. is set on world domination, trying to turn Eastern Europe specifically by orchestrating the "color revolutions" that have toppled several pro-Moscow leaders in the past decade. Ukraine, where an estimated 6,000 people had died in fighting between Kiev loyalists and Russia-back militias, is "the biggest tragedy in the chain of color revolutions," Shoigu said. "How many more casualties are needed to force Ukrainians living in the east to feel 'Europeans'?" That depends in part on people like Shoigu.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Putin replaces defense minister with economistSpeed Read In a surprising shake-up, Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu with civilian economist Andrei Belousov
-
Today's political cartoons - May 13, 2024Cartoons Monday's cartoons - a portrait of humanity, cool re-brand, and more
-
Blinken: Israel's Gaza tactics risk 'enduring insurgency'Speed Read The secretary of state criticized Israel's lack of plan to protect Rafah civilians
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostagesSpeed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 yearsSpeed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for UkraineSpeed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawaterSpeed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
