Ukraine Conflict Explained: Understanding the Stalemate and Paths to Peace

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct: The Budapest Memorandum was a crucial agreement where Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal inherited from the Soviet Union in exchange for security assurances from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Statement 2 is correct: The Minsk II Agreement, signed in 2015, was an attempt to end the fighting in the Donbas region. It was signed by representatives of Ukraine, Russia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Statement 3 is correct: Russia has consistently cited NATO's eastward expansion, particularly its 'Open Door Policy' which theoretically allows former Soviet bloc countries and even former Soviet republics to join, as a direct threat to its security interests, contributing significantly to the current geopolitical tensions.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct: 'Finlandization' describes the policy of neutrality Finland adopted during the Cold War, maintaining good relations with the Soviet Union while preserving its independence. This concept has been discussed as a potential model for Ukraine's future status. Statement 2 is correct: The OSCE, as a regional security organization, has indeed been involved in the conflict, particularly through its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), which monitored the ceasefire and reported on the situation in the Donbas region. Statement 3 is incorrect: NATO's Article 5 (collective defense clause) applies *only* to its member states. It states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. It does not automatically apply to non-member countries, even if they are victims of aggression.

सही उत्तर: D

All four statements correctly identify primary factors contributing to the prolonged stalemate and the difficulty in achieving a peaceful resolution: 1. Deep-seated mistrust and irreconcilable security demands: Russia seeks security guarantees and a demilitarized Ukraine, while Ukraine demands full territorial integrity and sovereignty, viewing Russia as an aggressor. 2. Significant Western support: While crucial for Ukraine's defense, Western military and financial aid has also hardened Ukraine's resolve, making it less likely to concede territory, and is perceived by Russia as prolonging the conflict. 3. Absence of a neutral international mediator: There is no universally accepted mediator with the trust and leverage to bring both sides to a mutually acceptable agreement, especially given the geopolitical divisions. 4. Differing interpretations of international law: Russia emphasizes the right to 'self-determination' for populations in contested regions (like Donbas and Crimea), while Ukraine and most of the international community uphold the principle of 'territorial integrity' and non-aggression.