Additional Coverage:
- Putin is desperately trying to reverse Russia’s population crisis and sees Ukraine as a solution, experts say (newsbreak.com)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has been attributed to various reasons, including NATO’s expansion and a desire to regain Soviet-era power. However, experts believe that President Putin’s obsession with Russia’s declining population may have played a significant role.
Russia’s population has been declining for years, prompting the government to implement measures to boost fertility. Despite these efforts, the birth rate has reached its lowest level in 25 years, and the population is falling rapidly.
Putin is concerned that Russia will become a “territorial giant and population dwarf” in the future. He believes that a larger population is essential for national security and the exploitation of natural resources in the Arctic.
Experts suggest that Putin may have concluded that annexing and subjugating neighboring countries, such as Ukraine, is the only way to increase Russia’s population. They also note that the war has involved the mass abduction of Ukrainian children.
While other countries are also experiencing declining birth rates, Russia’s demographic trends are particularly concerning. Experts warn that population loss among dominant groups could lead to further aggression and conflict in the future.