Many Malaysians are not aware of the history behind the present conflict in Ukraine. Many Malaysians do not know the history of Ukraine and Russia itself. Neither do I claim to be an expert but over the years (say 55 years) I have read some about the USSR and also the Russian people.
Here is some trivia:
1. Odessa (Odesa, Ukraine) was founded by Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1794 (241 years ago), established by decree on the site of the former Ottoman fortress of Hacıbey to create a crucial warm-water port on the Black Sea for the Russian Empire.
2. Under Empress Catherine the Great the Russian Black Sea Fleet was officially founded in Sevastopol (Crimea) on May 13, 1783 (242 years ago) by Prince Potemkin - following Russia's acquisition of Crimea from the Ottoman Empire. Sevastopol became Russia's main naval base and a crucial center for Russian power projection in the Black Sea and beyond.
In the video here General Harald Kujat is a retired four-star German Air Force officer, renowned for serving as the Chief of Staff of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) (2000-2002) and later as the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (2002-2005).
He gives a very informed and objective analysis of the reasons WHY this war in Ukraine happened. Its about 45 minutes long but even the first 15 minutes is plenty explanation.
