Ben Heller: Ukraine and Russia: What’s the Story, and How Are Countries Responding?

    Recently, news of possible confrontation between Ukraine and Russia has filled the airwaves. Viewing the situation from the US, the story can often be confusing and scary, but what’s really happening over there, and what are other countries doing about it?

    A few weeks ago, Russia began posting troops and military equipment such as tanks on the border between Russia and Ukraine. This was seen by western countries as an act of aggression on Russia’s part. Since this has occurred, multiple countries, such as the US and other western allies, have responded by announcing their solidarity with Ukraine and its right to sovereignty. Different countries have responded to different extents. The US has pledged to send weapons to aid the Ukrainians in their fight, but will not send US forces to the country. Similarly, European countries have decided to send aid in the form of weapons to the Ukrainians.

Recently, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have decided US-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to aid the Ukrainians. All being former members of the Soviet Union, these countries stated that they  “stand united in [their] commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of continued Russian aggression” .  To send the weapons though, they must ask permission from the German government, which has been hesitant to respond to the current situation as it has unfolded over the past few weeks. Additionally, the three countries want to send Howitzer artillery guns to Ukraine, though they must get approval from Germany to do so. These artillery guns were sold to Finland from Germany, and then sold from Finland to Estonia. 

    Tensions again flared when a report from British Intelligence found that Russia is allegedly seeking to replace Ukraine’s current government with a pro-Russia government, leading to an easy takeover. It should be noted that British Intelligence did not provide any concrete evidence to support this claim. As of now, there have been no new developments in diplomatic talks between the US and Russia. Russia has demanded that in return for de-escalation Ukraine

 A. must not be allowed to join NATO and B. that no alliance weapons will be placed on the Russian border, as well as the removal of alliance forces from central and eastern Europe. These demands are a non-starter for the NATO alliance, and have created a stalemate between the two opposing sides.


Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-tensions-saturday-1.6324216



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