Russia’s Motivations for Invading Ukraine: Through Waltz’s Three Images Analysis
Journal: Studies in Social Science Research
Year: 2022

After the Russo-Ukrainian War broke out, the motivations that caused Russia to launch the war are disputable and have no certain answers. In order to figure out the mystery, the article used Kenneth Waltz’s three images theory to analyze Russia’s motivations comprehensively. In the international image, NATO’s expansion enhanced Russia’s vulnerability, which provoked Russia’s aggressive reaction to Ukraine. On the other hand, the strengthening relations with China and Russia’s motivated bias embo