what is happening between russia and ukraine?
In recent weeks, Russia has launched a devastating attack on Ukraine, a European democracy of 44 million people. For months, President Vladimir Putin denied he would invade but he has now sent forces across borders in Ukraine's north, east and south. Beth Wedge Clarke investigates this devastating and far-reaching international development.
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Why have Russian troops attacked?
As reported by the BBC, in a pre-dawn TV address on 24 February, Putin declared Russia could not feel "safe, develop and exist" because of what he claimed was a constant threat from modern Ukraine. Many of President Putin's arguments are false or irrational. He claimed his goal was to protect people subjected to bullying and genocide and aim for the "demilitarisation and de-Nazification" of Ukraine. There has been no genocide in Ukraine: it is a vibrant democracy, led by a president who is Jewish. |
Ukrainian President Zelensky, who has survived at least three assassination attempts in the past week (BBC.)
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'What does Putin want?
The BBC reports that it is "now clear that Russia is seeking to overthrow Ukraine's democratically elected government." This false narrative of a Ukraine seized by fascists in 2014 has been spun regularly on Kremlin-controlled TV. Mr Putin has spoken of bringing to court "those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians" (BBC News 28th Feb '22) This invasion is yet another example of misinformation and propaganda being used to achieve the dangerous goals of a tyrannical leader. |
What have NATO got to do with it?
As the BBC reports, Ukraine is seeking a clear timeline to join NATO. President Putin partly blamed his decision to attack on NATO’s eastward expansion. He earlier complained Russia had "nowhere further to retreat to - do they think we'll just sit idly by?" and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov explained: "For us it's absolutely mandatory to ensure Ukraine never, ever becomes a member of NATO." (BBC News 2nd Mar '22.)
President Putin feels strongly that Ukraine is part of Russia and should return to its former status as such. He declared the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 as the "disintegration of historical Russia". (Reuters 21st Dec '21.) He has claimed modern Ukraine was entirely created by communist Russia and is now a puppet state, controlled by the West. President Putin has also argued that if Ukraine joined NATO, the alliance might try to recapture Crimea (BBC News 2nd Feb '22.)
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But Russia is not just focused on Ukraine. As the BBC explained this week, Putin demands that NATO return to its pre-1997 borders. He wants NATO to remove its forces and military infrastructure from member states that joined the alliance from 1997 and not to deploy "strike weapons near Russia's borders". That means Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
In President Putin's eyes, the West promised back in 1990 that NATO would expand "not an inch to the east", but did so anyway. That was before the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, so the promise made to then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev only referred to East Germany in the context of a reunified Germany. Mr Gorbachev said later "the topic of NATO expansion was never discussed" at the time (BBC News 3rd Feb '22.) |
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Let's imagine Ukraine is a NATO member and starts these military operations. Are we supposed to go to war with the NATO bloc? Has anyone given that any thought? Apparently not |
Putin's thoughts on NATO are clear (BBC News 2nd Feb 22.)
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How dangerous is this invasion for Europe?
These are terrifying times for the people of Ukraine and very frightening for the rest of the continent. This is the first time a major power has invaded a European neighbour since World War Two.
France's president Macron has spoken of a turning point in Europe's history while Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has warned that "Putin wants a Russian empire" - to take over Europe according to his world view. Recalling the Cold War days of the Soviet Union, President Zelensky spoke of Ukraine's bid to avoid a 'new iron curtain' closing Russia off from the civilised world. (BBC News 4th Mar '22.)
These are terrifying times for the people of Ukraine and very frightening for the rest of the continent. This is the first time a major power has invaded a European neighbour since World War Two.
France's president Macron has spoken of a turning point in Europe's history while Germany's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has warned that "Putin wants a Russian empire" - to take over Europe according to his world view. Recalling the Cold War days of the Soviet Union, President Zelensky spoke of Ukraine's bid to avoid a 'new iron curtain' closing Russia off from the civilised world. (BBC News 4th Mar '22.)
What can the West do, and what have they done so far?
The BBC reports that NATO’s defensive alliance has made clear there are no plans to send combat troops to Ukraine itself. Instead, they have offered advisers, weapons and field hospitals. This may be a tactic to avoid a full-scale war.
The main sanctions have been financial, with the West aiming to restrict and limit Russia's economy, institutions and the richest individuals. This has involved cutting off key Russian banks from the international Swift payment network, stopping money from transferring across borders; shutting off airspace; clamping down on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline approval process; freezing Russian banks' assets; and limiting Russian cities' ability to host sports events. (BBC News 3rd Mar '22.)
The BBC reports that NATO’s defensive alliance has made clear there are no plans to send combat troops to Ukraine itself. Instead, they have offered advisers, weapons and field hospitals. This may be a tactic to avoid a full-scale war.
The main sanctions have been financial, with the West aiming to restrict and limit Russia's economy, institutions and the richest individuals. This has involved cutting off key Russian banks from the international Swift payment network, stopping money from transferring across borders; shutting off airspace; clamping down on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline approval process; freezing Russian banks' assets; and limiting Russian cities' ability to host sports events. (BBC News 3rd Mar '22.)
Is there a diplomatic way out?
The BBC declares that for now, there does not look to be a diplomatic way out. Ukraine has called for talks, but Russia says they can only be held on condition that Kyiv agrees to surrender and demilitarise- and that will not happen. In recent days, Russia have ignored the ceasefire that was called in order to allow people to escape from cities to safety. Diplomacy does not seem to be high up in Putin's methods of operation. There is an excellent report here from the BBC that explains the potential outcomes at this stage.
What can we do to help?
Our school is collecting supplies to be shipped over to Ukraine for those fleeing their homes. We are looking for batteries, sanitary items, baby items, and tinned food. At present the UNHCR believe there are 1.5 million refugees (Reuters 5th Mar '22) and this number is likely to increase. The UK have taken in around 500 refugees but many are struggling to get through our border due to visa control (BBC 6th Mar '22.)
Our sponsored read is raising money for UNHCR. So far we have 202 students taking part - click here to join in.
The BBC declares that for now, there does not look to be a diplomatic way out. Ukraine has called for talks, but Russia says they can only be held on condition that Kyiv agrees to surrender and demilitarise- and that will not happen. In recent days, Russia have ignored the ceasefire that was called in order to allow people to escape from cities to safety. Diplomacy does not seem to be high up in Putin's methods of operation. There is an excellent report here from the BBC that explains the potential outcomes at this stage.
What can we do to help?
Our school is collecting supplies to be shipped over to Ukraine for those fleeing their homes. We are looking for batteries, sanitary items, baby items, and tinned food. At present the UNHCR believe there are 1.5 million refugees (Reuters 5th Mar '22) and this number is likely to increase. The UK have taken in around 500 refugees but many are struggling to get through our border due to visa control (BBC 6th Mar '22.)
Our sponsored read is raising money for UNHCR. So far we have 202 students taking part - click here to join in.