RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE

Russia and Ukraine have been experiencing tension as of 2008, and tensions have further escalated in recent years. On February 20, 2014, the official Russo-Ukraine war began with Russia annexing Crimea from Ukraine, which violated Ukraine’s sovereignty. As of Thursday, February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin has started what he calls a “special military operation” against Ukraine, attacking some of its cities, which include Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kramatorsk, Mariupol, and Odessa. 

This conflict and potential war are extremely threatening to our world. It may cause economic devastation in many countries that could produce both short and long-term negative effects. During President Biden’s press conference on March 10, he condemned Vladimir Putin’s actions, stating that there will be sanctions placed against Russia, and that other countries would follow suit. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also held a press conference. In this press conference, he said that Ukraine has reached out to over 27 European countries asking if Ukraine could be a part of NATO and receive support, but Ukraine’s request was denied. Overall, this is the beginning of a very frightening time, being that this will be the first major war in Europe since World War II. 

With the war going on officially for the sixth week, many policies and issues have escalated around the globe. President Zelenskyy has continuously requested stronger sanctions, a no-fly zone, and for Ukraine to be part of NATO. According to President Zelenskyy’s official Twitter account, he has talked regularly with other nations’ presidents and prime ministers. On Twitter, President Zelenskyy has also been calling out large corporations on their partnerships with Russia, while commending organizations that support Ukraine during this difficult time. 

CBS News reports thousands of Russian soldiers and Ukrainian soldiers have died, as well as many Ukrainian civilians. CNN live update is an accessible resource to get easy updates on the situation and on daily attacks taking place during this war – a recent example includes a pregnant woman and her baby dying after a maternity hospital bombing. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is on its 40th day now and the circumstances appear to be stagnant. There are different narratives on the ground from individuals experiencing the war – both soldiers and civilians – but regardless, this invasion is causing many parts of the world to experience long-term negative impacts and financial deficits due to the sanctions. 

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Work Cited:

1. “President Joe Biden Addresses the Ukraine Invasion.” YouTube, 24 Feb. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ccuDVE7jE.

2. “‘I’ve Asked 27 European Leaders.’ ‘No Answers.’ Zelensky Insists ‘Ukraine Is Not Afraid of Russia.’” YouTube, 25 Feb. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=njZtn3jzeKs.

3. Sangal, By Melissa Aditi Macaya. “March 14, 2022 Russia-Ukraine News.” CNN, 15 Mar. 2022, edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/index.html.

4. Sabbagh, Dan, and Peter Beaumont. “War in Ukraine: Where Has Russia Attacked?” The Guardian, 25 Feb. 2022, www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/war-ukraine-kyiv-map-where-has-russia-attacked.

5. Kirby, Jen, and Jonathan Guyer. “Russia’s War in Ukraine, Explained.” Vox, 6 Mar. 2022, www.vox.com/2022/2/23/22948534/russia-ukraine-war-putin-explosions-invasion-explained.

6. CBS News. “Up to 6,000 Russians May Have Been Killed in Ukraine so Far, U.S. Official Estimates.” CBS News, 11 Mar. 2022, www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-death-toll-invasion.