The article traces the developments in Ukraine from the Orange Revolution in 2004 to the Russian military invasion in February 2022. When Russian helicopters and paratroopers launched their attack on Kyiv on February 24, 2022, the element of surprise that Vladimir Putin and the Russian leadership had aimed for was essentially absent. In the hours leading up to the invasion, American and European intelligence agencies had revealed imminent invasion plans, preparing all parties for a major escalation in the long-standing Russia-Ukraine conflict that had entered its ninth year at that time.

The piece highlights that the 'special military operation' declared by Russia was essentially the start of a war against Ukraine without an official declaration. It suggests that for Russian generals as well as Western and Ukrainian military strategists, this escalation appeared as an inevitable outcome of previous events. Despite ongoing disputes about the legitimacy and foundation of this military action, the broader narrative is that historical tensions between Russia and Ukraine had set the stage for such a dramatic turn of events.

As the situation evolves, the implications of this conflict affect not only Ukraine and Russia but also broader international relations, particularly NATO's response and the geopolitical landscape across Europe. The article examines how past events and decisions have led to the current state of affairs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context to grasp the ongoing conflict's complexities.