Central to the tension over Ukraine is a fight over whether the country will ever join NATO, the Western military alliance – something Russian President Vladimir Putin sees as a major national security threat to Russia. As Russian forces have massed on the country's border with Ukraine, NATO has mobilized troops and diplomats to find a solution to the crisis amid the looming threat of invasion. Ukraine has a long and complicated history in relation to Russia. The Kremlin has made a concerted effort to craft its own narrative about Ukrainian identity to justify its interference in the country. The dynamic is part of a broader struggle by Putin and his close allies to rebuild Russia's influence and global image. To read more updates on the situation in Ukraine, visit USATODAY.com #ukraine #nato #russia #putin