Ukraine Vs Russia And The Americas

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has sent shock waves around the world. As global citizens of the 21st century, we never imagined that we would see a conflict of this magnitude. Post World War II international alliances, treaties, peace accords, legal tools, and diplomatic strategies were put in place with the hope that we would never experience such atrocities again. 

Sadly, those measures that were put in place haven’t ended the potential for violence. The troubled history between these two nations is not new. For more than 70 years, Ukraine has been working to become independent from Russia. Ukraine’s only goal has been wanting to be free: to have its own identity and be an independent and sovereign nation.

Ukraine was absorbed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), before World War I. There was always resistance in various sectors of the Ukrainian population. During World War II, they fought to defend themselves from Nazis. Finally, through a referendum after the fall of the USSR on August 24, 1991, it obtained its independence. That hard earned independence was always under threat from Russia.

Latin America is not far from what is happening there, Putin the main intellectual author and perpetrator of this conflict has great allies, the dictatorial regime of Maduro in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Cuba are the main ones and with the same philosophy, they put at risk the democracies of the countries in the American continent.

 Things to know:  

1. Ukraine restates its intention to join the NATO Alliance of North Atlantic countries since 1992. In June 2021 Brussels Summit, NATO leaders reiterated the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine would become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP).

2. Russia viewed Ukraine becoming a part of NATO as a threat. On March 3, 2022, Russia invaded and declared their aggression was to defend the Russian people. It was apparent that Putin had alternative motives, as their government stated one thing but their actions showed another. 

3. The world observes with horror what Ukraine is experiencing. Countries in the European Union and the USA have economically placed sanctions on Russia in the hopes to deter violence against the Ukrainian people. 

4. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych has offered solutions of peace with Putin. The Russian government continues with veiled threats of chemical and nuclear weapons, which concerns all citizens of the world.

The political order throughout the Americas hangs in a balance and it is more important than ever that we take a stand as the Ukrainian people have for freedom and democracy. In conclusion, we are not far from this problem of humanity, which most of us see on television and social media today.

INTERESTING FACT: 

“Based on historical data, Ukraine was one of the first places on the planet where there was civilization and urban planning took place. It is also the part of the world where the domestication of the horse began, the invention of the wheel, and metalworking.” (Wikipedia)