The only reason we hear the word “unprovoked” every time anyone mentions Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is because it absolutely was provoked.
To understand why NATO, the EU and the West created conditions for the war in Ukraine and why Russia seemingly complied, we need to consider who benefits.
Russia was faced with persistent NATO expansionism towards its European border and all of its attempts to have its security concerns heard fell on deaf ears.
Credible reports indicate that the Nazis in besieged areas had been stopping civilians leaving through humanitarian corridors opened by Russia.