Putin and the West on SBS and SBS – From the 2014 seizure of Crimea to the invasion of Ukraine, this is the inside story of a decade of clashes – as told by the Western leaders who traded blows with Putin’s Russia.
Series One, Episode One: My Backyard
This first episode tells the story of how, when Putin first attacked Ukraine in 2014, Europe’s leaders were bitterly divided over how to stop him. After massive protests erupt in Kyiv and Ukraine’s president Victor Yanukovych flees to Russia, Putin makes the most audacious move of his presidency to date – sending troops into Crimea.
We go behind the scenes for the critical summits and fraught phone calls that follow, as the West tries to find some way to push back – particularly after the fighting spreads to Donbas and Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 is shot down.
Featuring interviews from key players like David Cameron, Francois Hollande, Jose Manuel Barroso, and Petro Poroshenko, we hear how arguments broke out over whether to impose sanctions on Russia or send weapons to Ukraine. Ultimately, the West’s indecision sees Putin take control of Crimea.
And even after all-night negotiations in Minsk to agree a ceasefire, Russian forces remain in Donbas. Putin, meanwhile, appears more confident than ever.
Putin and the West on SBS – New Series Premiere – Thursday, 1 June at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS on Demand (3 Parts)
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