why is russia invading ukraine

Russia invaded Ukraine primarily to reassert control and influence over Ukraine, prevent its closer integration with Western institutions like NATO, and to weaken or overthrow the pro-Western Ukrainian government. Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the invasion as a mission to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, though these justifications are broadly considered misrepresentations. The invasion followed years of tension, including Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the support of separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Putin has questioned Ukraine's legitimacy as a state and sees Ukraine's westward orientation and potential NATO membership as direct threats to Russian security and influence. Russia also seeks to protect ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine and has economic interests in Ukraine's natural resources such as lithium and grain. The invasion has aimed to neutralize Ukraine politically and militarily while expanding Russian territorial control, despite substantial resistance and international sanctions against Russia.