Does Russia’s past actions coupled with its current aggression demonstrate why it’s important for the West to stick by Ukraine?

On July 17, 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down.The attack left all 238 passengers, including 80 children and 15 crew members, dead…Following a 15-month investigation, the Dutch Safety Board found a Russian-made Buk missile was to blame.

In 20-16, criminal investigators revealed the missile had been brought in from Russian territory and fired by Russian-backed separatists… And in 20-19 four men were charged with the murders of all 238 people on board.

Eight years on, Russia still refuses to accept responsibility.

Russian officials reject accusations of involvement… and Moscow says the investigation is both “biased and politically motivated”.

This of course comes as the war in Ukraine wages on and Russia’s battle for control of the eastern Donbas region remains as bloody as ever.

It’s a region which has witnessed so much tragedy and so much devastation – but what does its future hold? And does Russia’s past actions coupled with its current aggression just further demonstrate why it’s so important for the West to stick by Ukraine?