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Ukraine fell into chaos after anti-government, pro-West protests toppled its government in February, and eventually became entangled with violent pro-Russian separatists. Russia then moved to take Crimea, the southernmost part of Ukraine, as its own land in an effort to retain Russian influence in Ukraine. The Ukrainian crisis sparked outrage around the world, leading the U.S. and countries in the European Union to take action against Russia.
Last week, after months of fighting between the Russian-backed separatists and the new Ukrainian government, a ceasefire agreement was declared between the two sides. But artillery strikes were fired last Saturday, one day after the ceasefire, and both sides accuse the other of violating the agreement. The situation is at a crossroads, as no one is sure whether the peace will hold.
But why is this such a big issue? Why is the world stepping in to oppose Russia? To understand these questions and what the world’s responsibilities are in these situations, we first must understand the root of the conflict.
Why are these things happening in Ukraine?
Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union (Russia’s former empire of nearby countries) when the Soviet Union fell in 1991. But the connection between the two countries goes all the way back to the ninth century, when Vikings from the north founded the empire of Kievan Rus. That land was home to the Slavic people (people who spoke certain east-European languages), and the originating land for Russian and Ukrainian culture. The Ukrainian area was valued for its fertile soil and was taken over by many different powers up until World War II, when the Soviets claimed it and held power until their empire crumbled.
Fast-forward to 2004, when the Russian-backed Viktor Yanukovich ran for president in Ukraine — protests kept him out of office back then, but he returned to power in 2010. The tipping point for Yanukovich was his refusal to sign a deal that would allow Ukraine to do business with the European Union, the political and economic organization of major European countries. Many Ukrainians, angry at Yanukovich for breaking the deal, protested and overthrew his administration. Vladimir Putin, fearing Russia would lose its influence in Ukraine to western countries, moved in to reassert his dominance.
Why does Russia want to control Ukraine?
For Russia, Ukraine is an insurance policy in many ways. Ukraine doing business with the West (Europe and the U.S.) would mean Russia losing one of its largest natural gas buyers, and a possible Ukraine membership in the NATO would leave Russia vulnerable on its border. In simpler terms, Russia enjoys its position as a world power — a country whose president is known to ride around shirtless on a horse may not like the idea of downgrading its dominance.
The West has similar goals, as more business with Ukraine would boost Western economies. The U.S. and E.U. struck Russia with multiple sanctions over the past months, freezing the assets Russian businesses keep in U.S. banks — these measures hinder Russia’s ability to do international business in the hope that a crippled economy will give Putin pause. But Western powers oppose the undermining of Ukraine’s sovereignty and are taking a stand for the rights of nations on the international stage.
But this is really a human rights issue.
The Ukraine/Russia conflict, on a world-stage level, is a macrocosm of a historic issue: Do people get to decide what powers they live under? Russia argued Crimea actually wanted to become officially Russian – a majority of Crimeans are ethnically Russian — but despite pro-Russia rallies that took place in Crimea during the crisis, polls show a majority of the Crimean people oppose breaking off from Ukraine. A secession referendum initially showed some results of over 90 percent in favor — that is, until one of Russia’s government agencies accidentally let information slip that only 15-30 percent of Crimeans actually voted for joining Russia.
What the situation boils down to is the right of self-determination, the right of nations to make their own choices. Russia can occupy Crimea and hold a vote to make its actions seem legitimate, but it can’t expect the world to believe people have exercised their right to speak and decide freely. And that’s not even considering the Crimean Tatars, a group of native Muslim people, who certainly don’t identify with Russian culture.
What the world must do in these situations is uphold the dignity and choice of human beings. The majority in Ukraine spoke for Western influence, and we should take that decision as final. With the death toll still rising — over 2,700 civilians and militants on both sides have died so far — we must stand up for human worth in the face of domineering world-powers.
The powers in the West should continue to support the Ukraine’s efforts. U.S. and E.U. sanctions are set to intensify soon, and although President Obama has received criticism from several Republicans in Congress, the U.S. and E.U.’s efforts to hit Russia economically rather than with military force aren’t just talk — Russia’s credit rating has been downgraded to one level above junk, which amounts to recognizing that there’s barely any stability left in the country. As citizens here, we should continue to support policymakers that support, in responsible ways, actions that support the rights of people abroad. Putin can’t ignore the message forever, and other world leaders like him must realize we no longer live in a Cold War world. It’s people, and not territorial grabs for power, that have earned the world’s respect.
Contact CU Independent Assistant Opinion Editor Ellis Arnold at ellis.arnold@colorado.edu.
