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It follows an horrific paragraph of the article Luz de Maria, September 24, 2026.
Amid this turmoil, I look toward the region of Russia and Ukraine:
How much suffering!
How much fear!
How children live amid hiding places and rubble!
What a tragedy before my eyes!
Forgive, Lord, forgive!
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The Russia–Ukraine war was caused by a combination of historical grievances, geopolitical competition, and Putin’s strategic and ideological goals, culminating in the 2022 invasion after years of escalating tensions.
Major Historical Grievances
| Grievance Cluster | Russia’s View | Ukraine’s View |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial legacy | Ukraine is historically Russian | Russia suppressed Ukrainian identity |
| National identity | Ukrainians are “one people” with Russians | Ukrainians are a distinct nation |
| Territorial claims | Ukraine includes “historic Russian lands” | These claims are imperialist |
| Soviet-era trauma | USSR collapse was a tragedy | Soviet rule was oppressive |
| Post-1991 politics | Ukraine’s revolutions are Western plots | They are democratic movements |
| Crimea & Donbas | Protecting ethnic Russians | Illegal occupation |
| NATO/EU | Western encroachment | Sovereign choice |
Russia–Ukraine geopolitical competition is a multidimensional struggle over territory, identity, and the future of the European security order. Russia seeks to reassert dominance and block Western expansion; Ukraine seeks sovereignty, territorial restoration, and integration with the Euro‑Atlantic world. The war has produced a long-term impasse with global consequences for alliances, military strategy, and international stability.
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Putin’s strategic, ideological and geopolitical goals
Putin’s strategic and ideological goals in Ukraine: controlling Ukraine’s geopolitical alignment, redefining Russia’s sphere of influence, and reshaping European security.
Putin’s Goals Over Ukraine
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| Strategic | Stop NATO expansion | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure territory & strategic depth | |||
| Degrade Ukrainian state capacity | |||
| Ideological | Deny Ukrainian nationhood | ||
| Restore Russian great‑power status | |||
| Geopolitical | Exploit Western limits | ||
| Freeze conflict to rebuild | |||
| Shift Europe’s balance of power |
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Ukraine is a symbolic and strategic centerpiece of Putin’s vision for a restored Russian sphere of influence and a rebalanced European order, whereas God’s vision of Ukraine is a center of suffering, fear, and children living amid hiding places and rubble. What a tragedy before God’s eyes!
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