UKRAINE : je réponds à toutes vos questions

Ukraine's territory was under Russian rule until the 18th century when it was progressively integrated into the Russian Empire. After brief independence from 1917-1922, Ukraine was incorporated into the Soviet Union, remaining under Soviet control until 1991.

Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Ukraine regained independence but remained under pro-Russian regime control for several years. Today, approximately 20% of Ukraine's population speaks Russian, with rates approaching 70% in eastern regions.

Since 2005, Ukraine has been moving closer to the European Union and NATO, which Russia views as a direct threat. Though Ukraine has not officially requested NATO membership, France and Germany oppose such membership, yet a clear rapprochement has occurred.

Russia considers Ukraine part of its sphere of influence and sees Western integration as Western encirclement. Russia also claims these rapprochements endanger Russian populations living in Ukraine.

Russia views NATO expansion as a direct threat and seeks to maintain Ukraine within its sphere of influence rather than allow it to align with Western powers.

• Iron and coal mines • Fertile agricultural lands and significant food production (historically called 'the granary of the Soviet Union') • Strategic position as a transit point for Russian gas destined for Europe

Ukraine occupies a critical strategic location that serves as a key passage for Russian gas exports to Europe and provides Russia with important territorial control.

Control over Ukraine's agricultural and mineral resources gives Russia significant leverage over European energy and food supplies.

Donetsk and Luhansk are two territories in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, bordering Russia. In 2014, these territories self-proclaimed independence through referendums, claiming to be independent from Ukraine.

Ukraine never approved the independence of these territories, and they are not recognized as independent by either Ukraine or the international community. Recognition by Russia on February 21st violated the Minsk Agreements.

The region has been the theater of conflict between pro-Russian separatists (Ukrainians who identify as Russian and support Russia) and the Ukrainian military since 2014.

Russia's recognition of these territories' independence on February 21st represents a violation of the Minsk Accords signed in 2015, which called for a ceasefire and maintenance of Ukrainian control over these regions.

In 2015, Russia, Ukraine, and pro-Russian separatives signed the Minsk Accords, with mediation from France and Germany, to resolve the Donbas conflict.

• Ceasefire in certain zones of the Donbas in Ukraine • Withdrawal of heavy weapons held by each side • These regions were to remain under Ukrainian control

By recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk on February 21st, Putin directly violated the Minsk Accords that he had signed.

This violation demonstrated Russia's rejection of the international agreement and preceded the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Crimea is a peninsula in southern Ukraine approximately the size of Normandy, bordering the Black Sea. It belonged to Russia until 1954.

In 2014, Russia militarily invaded Crimea and annexed the territory without Ukraine's consent and in violation of international law.

Crimea is currently controlled by Russia, but its annexation has not been recognized by the international community, meaning most countries do not acknowledge Russian sovereignty over the region.

The annexation set a precedent for Russia's disregard of international law and territorial agreements, foreshadowing later actions in Ukraine.

Tensions have remained high since 2014, with periodic resumptions of fighting in the Donbas region between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

In recent weeks, Russia began massing tens of thousands of soldiers at its border with Ukraine. The United States estimated 150,000 troops, while Ukraine claimed over 200,000.

Western nations, fearing an imminent invasion, viewed this military buildup as preparation for a full-scale assault. Tensions intensified from November onwards.

Russia justified this military presence by citing Ukraine's rapprochement with NATO as a direct threat to Russian security.

Putin claimed Ukraine was engaged in a policy of extermination against Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine, alleging a genocide in these regions. Experts interviewed on the subject found these claims completely unfounded.

Putin cited aggressive NATO policies toward Russia as justification, despite Ukraine never formally joining NATO and only being in discussions with the organization.

Putin stated he wanted to denazify Ukraine. While far-right groups exist in Ukraine and some fight separatists, they represent a tiny minority of the population and this claim has been used to justify broader military action.

While some conflicts between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists did occur with potential war crimes on both sides, the claims of genocide and systematic threat from Ukraine are fundamentally challenged by international specialists and analysts.

Initially, combat between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces was concentrated in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Since Thursday morning, fighting has spread across the entire territory, including the capital Kyiv, with battles occurring everywhere.

At least 137 Ukrainian citizens died and 316 were wounded since the start of the Russian offensive Thursday morning. These figures continue to evolve as the conflict escalates.

• Many Kyiv residents sheltered in metro underground shelters from Russian bombardments • Ukrainians fled by train or car as airspace was completely closed • President Zelenskyy called for general mobilization of the population

Ukraine distributed 10,000 automatic weapons to citizens willing to defend the country. Russia's stated objective is to neutralize military forces, not kill civilians, though civilian casualties continue mounting.

Ukraine possesses approximately 200,000 soldiers, with additional reservists and civilians who have joined the defense effort. The ability to repel Russian forces remains uncertain.

Russia is the world's second-largest military power with 900,000 soldiers, at least 190,000 engaged in Ukraine, plus over 1,200 tanks. The military imbalance significantly favors Russia.

• Russia has bombed significant Ukrainian military equipment • Russia can encircle Ukraine from multiple sides: north via Belarus (Russian ally), south via Crimea (annexed territory), west via Transnistria (Russian enclave in Moldova) • Geographic disadvantage makes defensive operations extremely difficult

Russian forces advanced rapidly toward Kyiv on the first day, seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and as of late week, the battle for Kyiv remained uncertain, depending on Western support for Ukraine.

• Economic and financial sanctions against Russia • Material support for the Ukrainian military • Mobilization of NATO troops around Ukraine, particularly in Romania

Sanctions come from G7 member nations including France and the United States, as well as from the European Union, covering multiple sectors including energy and finance.

A Russian ambassador stated Russia cares nothing for Western sanctions. In 2014, sanctions following Crimea's annexation did not deter Russia and Russia claimed some sanctions had positive economic effects through production relocation.

Russia has spent years preparing for Western economic sanctions and does not fear them publicly. Russia's limited economic exchanges with the West and strong relations with China provide alternative economic support.

France has no plan to send French citizens to fight in Ukraine. France's engagement consists of sanctions, material support for Ukraine, and NATO troop mobilization around Ukraine.

The primary impact on French citizens is economic, particularly regarding gas prices. Europe depends heavily on Russian gas, creating clear risk of price increases following sanctions.

France and Europe must monitor potential counter-sanctions that Russia may impose following European sanctions, which could further impact French consumers.

France participates in EU sanctions and NATO mobilization but maintains a cautious approach regarding direct military confrontation with Russia.

Western nations including EU countries provide Ukraine with sanctions against Russia, material military support, and NATO military presence in surrounding countries.

• China: Recent statements respecting Russian viewpoint and accusing US of escalation, though also calling for restraint • Belarus: Ally allowing Russian troop passage • Other supporters: Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Syria, Kazakhstan at various levels

Russia has significantly less international support than Ukraine in this conflict. China's position remains delicate due to its own territorial claims regarding Taiwan.

China's cautious stance reflects its recognition that supporting or condemning Russia's invasion sets precedent for how international powers might treat China's own territorial ambitions.

Whether this constitutes a world war depends on how one defines the term. Currently, no direct military confrontation exists between NATO troops and Russia.

US President Biden stated he would not send American soldiers to Ukraine but would deploy US troops if Russia touched even one inch of NATO territory.

Only Russia and Ukraine are actively engaged in armed conflict. Other countries participate through sanctions, support, or military presence in surrounding nations rather than direct combat.

Russia possesses nuclear weapons like France, the UK, and the US. French Defence Minister Florence Parly estimated nuclear weapons were not intended for use, though nuclear risk remains a legitimate concern for future discussion.

Russia currently concentrates on Ukraine and has not announced plans to send troops to other countries. The situation remains fluid and dependent on multiple factors.

• Resistance capability of the Ukrainian military • Attitudes and support from Western countries • Strategic decisions by Russian leadership

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that Russian invasion could eventually extend to Georgia or Moldova, countries close to Ukraine with vulnerable positions.

Currently, Russia's stated operations remain focused on Ukraine. Future expansion is possible but not assured, depending on international response and Ukrainian resistance.