Abstract
This study investigated Russia-Ukraine conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Europe between 2014 and 2022. It examined how the sanctions imposed on Russia by the Western countries, over the annexation of Crimea in 2014, created economic hardship in Europe. The study also interrogated how the partisan nature of external intervention in the 2022 outbreak of armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine aggravated the humanitarian crisis in Europe. Ex-post-facto research design was employed to guide the study. The data for the study were generated mainly from secondary sources and analyzed using qualitative descriptive technique. Two international relation theories were used as theoretical framework. They are the theories of Realism, and liberalism. The study made the following findings: 1) Western countries suffered the effect of the sanctions they imposed on Russia through a counter-trade ban by Russia. 2) Some EU member states suffered loss in terms of exports to Russia which caused economic growth impediment and high fiscal spending. 3) Western sanctions against Russia made Europe to experience a reduction in household consumption due to high prices in oil, gas, wheat, and mineral. 4). The partisan involvement of NATO member countries in the conflict heightened Russia's attack on
Ukraine and contributed to a high level of humanitarian crisis across Europe. Based on these findings, the study recommended the following: 1). Russia and Ukraine should find a diplomatic solution to resolve the conflict. 2). There should be a UN embargo on all forms of military aids or sales to the governments of Russia and Ukraine until the conflict is resolved. 3). The UN should outlaw any form of external partisanship in the conflict that undermines established peace process.4). There should be adequate funding for the United Nations Refugee Agency and other relief agencies to tackle humanitarian challenges in Europe.