From Georgia to Ukraine: Putin’s Pattern of Invasion We Keep Ignoring

The scale of the war in Ukraine is the most pressing issue of the contemporary world. One might wonder why Ukraine is vital in the current geopolitical landscape and why NATO, led by the United States, should further enhance its support for deterrence and provide extensive military assistance to Ukraine. To answer these questions, we must examine several historical and chronological factors that illustrate the potential threats’ true nature and extent.  

If we look at the creation of the Soviet Union, we will see a resemblance to what Russia wants to achieve. The USSR was created by forcibly invading and annexing countries, taking away their independence, and uniting them under the soviet regime. Russia, the self-proclaimed descendant of the USSR, has repeatedly declared its desire to restore what it sees as its former glory. The Soviet Union, one of history’s most brutal regimes, repressed, starved, and killed millions without ever taking responsibility for its atrocities. 

When Russians invaded Georgia in 2008 and the August War took place, the Western world did not pay much attention, aside from being verbally utterly infuriated. During his visit to Georgia, Lech Kaczynski, the president of Poland at that time, said, “Today – Georgia, tomorrow – Ukraine, the day after tomorrow – the Baltic countries, and then, perhaps, the time will come for my country – Poland”. Although Georgians warned that their invasion was only the beginning, no one paid attention – small country, small scale, “small war”. 

The pattern repeated in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea under the false pretext of protecting Russian speakers. In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “Special Military Operation” and justifying it by calling Ukrainians Nazis. Later in 2022, Russia adopted the concept of the “Russian World,” where they speak of defending and preserving the “Russian World,” singling out Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine, potential places to invoke the protection of Russian speaking groups, all former members of the Soviet Union. They claimed to save “Russian-speaking” communities in Ukraine, further opening the path to “protecting” Russian-speaking communities anywhere in the world. Russia’s actions across Europe reveal ambitions that go beyond Ukraine. The Kremlin is testing new frontlines that could eventually revive a ‘glorious’ Soviet Union. This expansionist vision demands a unified and immediate response from NATO. 

With the current developments of Russian drones, military jets, and unidentified drones linked to Russia unlawfully violating the airspace of Estonia, Poland, Romania, Denmark, and now Germany; European countries that are also member states of the NATO alliance are feeling the real threat to their national security and borders. 

After three years of active war in Ukraine, Russians committing war crimes and genocide of the Ukrainian people, the world is still debating whether they should keep supporting Ukraine, while mocking their president and shaking hands with a war criminal and a dictator on a red carpet. 

Since World War II, the United States has led the global security order based on democracy and peace. Russia’s push toward NATO borders directly threatens that order and exposes the Western world’s failure to respond collectively to a common enemy, the foundational principle of the NATO alliance. If Russia succeeds, it sets a global precedent for redrawing borders by force, emboldening other authoritarian regimes, and dismantling the credibility of democratic alliances. 

With Ukraine being the breadbasket of Europe, the war is triggering massive disruptions in global energy and food prices, affecting global markets and US inflation. Support for Ukraine is often misunderstood as “money giveaways,” however, much of the US aid actually stays in America, as US companies and workers produce military aid weaponry. The conflict is reshaping both Ukrainian military strength and the defense industrial base, pushing finances into military modernization, sustaining jobs, and innovation. 

To establish a lasting peace in Europe, NATO must adopt a long-term policy towards Ukraine that focuses on accelerated economic integration with the European market, including trade liberalization, infrastructure development, and investment partnerships, alongside consistent military assistance and firm accountability for Russia’s war crimes. Ukraine requires timely, multi-year defense funding and access to modern Western weaponry to defend itself effectively. The proposed defense and reconstruction programs should be financed through coordinated NATO and EU funding mechanisms, leveraging shared financial responsibility among member states to ensure sustainability without overburdening individual economies. Simultaneously, Western nations should invest in reconstructing Ukraine, enabling it to become a self-reliant security partner instead of a dependent state. Additionally, international tribunals should hold Russia accountable for its aggression and impose even harsher sanctions. This comprehensive policy approach would empower Ukraine to defend itself, strengthen global stability, and reinforce Western moral and strategic credibility. 

Providing financial and military assistance to Ukraine is not an act of charity; it’s a matter of self-defense. Supporting Ukraine directly safeguards American interests, jobs, and the international order that has kept the US secure since 1945. Every tank or piece of military aid sent to Ukraine prevents NATO allies from fighting a new conflict tomorrow. Deterrence is always cheaper than expanding the scope of war or surrendering. If we fail to stop tyranny, it will not stop in Ukraine.