Russia’s relations with the West have plummeted, reaching their lowest point since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Some observers worry that the risk of full-scale conventional war in Europe is higher than any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union 30 years ago. The proximate cause of this parlous state of affairs is Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin, like many fellow nationalists, considers an integral part of his country. For them, Western security guarantees to Kyiv are an offense to Russian sensibilities, sovereignty and security.
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