Russia’s PR Problem

            As of now, everyone has heard of the crisis in the Ukraine that has been ongoing for a couple months.  Russia’s encroachment onto the country’s territory has caused a revolution of sorts and has been widely criticized by other European countries.  The situation has certainly drawn the attention of the United States, who has repeatedly condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has begun using economic sanctions against the country as a means of protest against their advancement into the Ukraine. 

         As one might assume, when one country invades another there is bound to be some sort of backlash and criticism.  The motives must be questioned, and what they’re trying to accomplish must be questioned too.  The United States has had recent history in this subject.  Take into account the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  The initial goal was to stop Saddam Hussein’s support of terrorism, and to find weapons of mass destruction.  Now, reflecting on that several years later, no weapons of mass destruction were found.  Yes, Saddam’s government was toppled and he was subsequently executed, but since no weapons of mass destruction were found, the U.S. drew criticism for their actions.  Keep in mind the United States was attacked first though on September 11, 2001. 

         Clearly though, the situation with Russia and Ukraine is different that the one with the United States and Iraq.  Iraq was being accused of supporting terrorism and harboring potential nuclear weapons.  The Ukraine, on the other hand, has not been accused of any such things.  The United States was attacked and then began an “anti-terrorism campaign” per se to avoid future attacks.  As of the moment, we cannot be that certain of Russia’s motives, because a full-scale war has not broken out yet, and let’s hope one does not.  However, tensions are mounting, and Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of starting war.

         The question I have is how does Russia make this invasion of the Ukraine seem justified?  As of the moment, they have very little if any support from other European countries.  This is why I believe their actions have caused a very severe image and “public relations” problem with the rest of the world.  Without properly justifying what they’re doing, it creates more hostility toward them.  Let’s hope that the conflict does not escalate any further, although that may be false hope.