Here’s How a Russian Invasion of Ukraine Could Affect You – NBC Chicago

Now that Russia has sent troops to Ukraine amid growing fears of an invasion, many are paying attention to what’s next and how the conflict could affect them.

“We’re part of the community, and this is going to affect all of us,” a Chicago-area resident told NBC 5. “I think we should keep an eye on it, and I’m praying for the best.”

William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College in Naperville, says the latest developments will be a test for American leadership.

“Hearing Putin today and seeing these actions, one gets the impression that Russia and Ukraine are headed for war,” Muck said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the dispatch of troops to Ukraine on Monday, just hours after formally recognizing the independence of two Moscow-backed separatist regions in the east of the country.

Putin presented the troop movement as a “peacekeeping” effort in the two regions. His decision to recognize the two regions was seen by the United States and its European allies as a dramatic provocation and part of a pretext to invade Ukraine, and led the United States and the European Union to announce sanctions targeting both regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the dispatch of troops to Ukraine on Monday after formally recognizing the independence of two Moscow-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. It is not yet known whether Russian forces have entered these areas.

Geopolitical experts say the war in Ukraine could impact Americans’ daily lives, including the price at the pump, the cost of heating homes and the stock market.

“There will definitely be an economic impact, and you’re absolutely right that gas prices are going to go up and the global economy as a whole is going to hiccup,” Muck said. “This is a dramatic development. If war breaks out in Europe, it will affect all of our wallets.”

The political science professor says it’s time to ask yourself if you want to live in a world where tanks cross borders and what role should the United States play to improve peace and stability?

“If you have tanks crossing European borders, it’s not something that happened in the 21st century. It’s something that happened in the 20th century, and we saw war and destruction of the 20th century. So that’s a big deal.”

The threat of higher energy prices is real, government officials said, but President Biden’s administration has said it is taking steps to mitigate the impact.