The NPR Politics Podcast On The Ground In Ukraine As Threat Of Russian Invasion Grows
Feb 14, 2022
Join Joanna Kakissis, NPR's international correspondent based in Kyiv, as she shares on-the-ground insights into the rising tensions in Ukraine with the looming threat of a Russian invasion. She discusses how ordinary Ukrainians cope with daily life amid fears of war, revealing the psychological toll of constant alerts. Kakissis also dives into Ukraine's growing shift towards the West and the historical roots of this alignment, while exploring the courageous resilience of the Ukrainian people facing geopolitical uncertainties.
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Escalating Warnings of Imminent Attack
- The U.S. changed its rhetoric, citing intelligence suggesting an imminent attack, causing a ripple effect.
- Other Western countries followed suit, escalating warnings and evacuations, despite normalcy on the ground in Ukraine.
Ukraine's Western Alignment
- Putin's actions have strengthened Ukraine's resolve to align with the West, increasing support for NATO and the EU.
- This shift began in 2014 and reflects a growing national identity separate from Russia.
Putin's Motivations
- Putin's motivations remain unclear, but his isolation and historical context offer some clues.
- His KGB background and the fall of the Berlin Wall likely influence his perception of Ukraine's westward drift.