The last few days I've been tasked with learning about the current situation with Ukraine. This is the result of a hastily made wager. I've been reading up on the past, present, and future of the Ukraine. My findings although didn't scratch the surface, but my understanding is as follows.
In this corner is the Ukraine, standing at 44 and a half million people. With the rank of 21st strongest military it's nothing to cough at. 30 years ago they were apart of the USSR, they belonged to what now is Russia. When the USSR fell they got Independence and became a sovereign nation.
In the other corner is the mighty Russia, standing at 145 million people. With the rank of 2nd it's a force to be feared and respected (with only the USA stands stronger). They've been a world power since the end of WWII and are trying to hold onto their power in a world where the United States rains supreme.
The European Union recently became interested in adding Ukraine to their alliance. The Ukrainian people and most of their government was on board, only to be shut down by the President (Viktor Yanukovych). We know that there was correspondence between him and President Putin prior to the decision. On top of this there was a natural gas dispute that left 44 million people without heat in this horrid winter.
After this the Ukrainian people were furious and protested the government. Viktor Yanukovych then ordered police to open fire upon protesters which resulted in 120 deaths. The Ukrainian people then revolted and caused the President to flee to Russia.
Since Mr. Yanukovych has good relations with Mr. Putin, Mr. Yanukovych then presumably asked Mr. Putin to help regain power over Ukraine. Russia sent 16,000 troops to Crimea (a backdoor into a primarily Pro-Russian region) to regain power.
Our Secretary of State, John Kerry, is now in Ukraine to help peace talks.
What's really interesting to me is the political landscape of the situation. Most of the protesters in Ukraine are Fascist, which is a very nationalistic and very anti immigrant government. The Russians are at the other end of the spectrum, their goverment is Communist. Communism is the complete opposite of Fascism and are mortal enemies. Personally I have no idea what to think of this. Do we support a newly forming goverment that might end up to be like the Nazis? Or do we support our global enemies the Russians and allow them to invade a country? It's going to come down to the lesser of two evils.
In this corner is the Ukraine, standing at 44 and a half million people. With the rank of 21st strongest military it's nothing to cough at. 30 years ago they were apart of the USSR, they belonged to what now is Russia. When the USSR fell they got Independence and became a sovereign nation.
In the other corner is the mighty Russia, standing at 145 million people. With the rank of 2nd it's a force to be feared and respected (with only the USA stands stronger). They've been a world power since the end of WWII and are trying to hold onto their power in a world where the United States rains supreme.
The European Union recently became interested in adding Ukraine to their alliance. The Ukrainian people and most of their government was on board, only to be shut down by the President (Viktor Yanukovych). We know that there was correspondence between him and President Putin prior to the decision. On top of this there was a natural gas dispute that left 44 million people without heat in this horrid winter.
After this the Ukrainian people were furious and protested the government. Viktor Yanukovych then ordered police to open fire upon protesters which resulted in 120 deaths. The Ukrainian people then revolted and caused the President to flee to Russia.
Since Mr. Yanukovych has good relations with Mr. Putin, Mr. Yanukovych then presumably asked Mr. Putin to help regain power over Ukraine. Russia sent 16,000 troops to Crimea (a backdoor into a primarily Pro-Russian region) to regain power.
Our Secretary of State, John Kerry, is now in Ukraine to help peace talks.
What's really interesting to me is the political landscape of the situation. Most of the protesters in Ukraine are Fascist, which is a very nationalistic and very anti immigrant government. The Russians are at the other end of the spectrum, their goverment is Communist. Communism is the complete opposite of Fascism and are mortal enemies. Personally I have no idea what to think of this. Do we support a newly forming goverment that might end up to be like the Nazis? Or do we support our global enemies the Russians and allow them to invade a country? It's going to come down to the lesser of two evils.
Good overview of the situation, although we have since learned that only a portion (not a majority) of the protesters were fascists. But a clear explanation of the power relationships!
ReplyDelete