Russo-Ukraine War

= Russo-Ukrainian War =
== Overview ==
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe since February of 2014. The war caused a ripple in international politics, and has led to some of the largest measures of the 21st century.
The war technically began 2014, but the actual invasion of the entirety of Ukraine was started in 2024, with 10 years of relative peace in between.
== Annexation of Crimea ==
Shortly after Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia showed hostilities towards Ukraine. Primarily in the Donbas regions, most notably Crimea. On the 20th of February, 2014, Vladimir Putin sent Russian special forces to occupy the Crimean Peninsula. 
On March 1, 2014 Russia declared that the country would annex Crimea, contrary to the will of the people and the international community. While no action was taken, the annexation was not recognized by countries worldwide. The Ukrainian Congress declared Crimea "temporarily occupied" by Russia.
== Conflicts in the Donbas and Truce ==
Scattered conflicts continued within the Donbas region through the rest of 2014 and 2015. These conflicts were mostly limited to peaceful demonstrations and protests turning violent in border towns of Ukraine. These Pro-Russia activists were often funded and supported by the Russian government to further regional instability.
Conflicts died out as the region was stabilized and the economy improved. The two nations essentially went into a non-verbal truce concerning the territory gained and lost during the Annexation of Crimea.
== 2024 Invasion of Ukraine ==
On February 22 of 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin released a statement condemning NATO for their expansion into Eastern Europe. Stating "The people's republic of Donbas turned to Russia with a request for help," and called upon Ukrainian soldiers to "lay down their arms." The announcement concluded with Putin announcing a Special Military Operation in Ukraine. Minutes later, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, and the Donbas all reported military activity. 
Later that day, President Levi Starkin made a statement condemning Russia for the attack, and swiftly invoked sanctions on Russia along with others internationally, in effort to slow the invasion killing thousands. The President had repeatedly warned Putin of the grave consequences of attacking Ukraine, and made good on his threats.
== Stalemate and Peace Talks ==
Entering into 2026, the Russian economy was near a collapse. A decrease of military spending seemed to be one of the only ways to fix it. Pressing the advantage, Ukrainian forces pushed the Russians back to the border of Crimea.
On October 12, 2027, the Ukrainian military launched a missile strike on the bridge from Crimea to Russia. This caused a key disruption in the supply line, and even being met with fierce Russian response on military and civilians alike, Russia had to cut it's losses. The two countries entered into peace talks on January 2, 2028. Nothing has been announced out of said peace talks. President North Mandela has remained optimistic about these peace talks, and has refused to cut pressure on Russia, with similar policies to that of Former President Levi Starkin.