Putin And The WestSeason 1, Episode 1 - 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.

Putin And The West was broadcast on SBS ONE at Thursday 1 June 2023, 10:30.