WHY DID RUSSIA INVADE UKRAINE? PLAUSIBLE THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS
Journal: Strategic Panorama
Year: 2023

This paper examines three major theoretical frameworks to explain Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine. It is argued that although the war caught many by surprise, it can still be explained by at least several International Relations theories. President Putin’s decision may be erroneous but it should be treated as rational. The purpose of this research is to suggest theoretical frameworks suitable for understanding and evaluating the key foreign policy and security decisions taken by the current