Peace, Not War - CUB FEATURES

Peace, Not War:

Ukraine, and Hopes of a Future World without Conflict

George Boulton

We live in a world full of chaos and trouble marked by conflicts. Wars may be different today compared to centuries past, but they are no less devastating. We are reminded of how fragile peace is when we see “breaking news” bulletins about major wars, skirmishes and clashes. Ongoing military action—with no end in sight—make us all extremely anxious. We are living in a time that requires peace, not violence.

What is happening in Ukraine?

On 24th February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine, starting the largest military action on European soil since the Second World War. Questioning Ukraine’s ahistory and right to statehood, Russian President Vladimir Putin broadcasted false propaganda that the state is run by “drug addicts and neo-Nazis” and is “committing genocide against Russian-speaking minorities”. Recognising Donetsk’s and Luhansk’s independence, he announced an “Anti-Terrorism Operation” to “de-nazify” Ukraine, launching an invasion from the North, East and South by land, air and sea. The four main theatres with major offensives are in Kyiv, the Northeast, the East and the South. Russian has since widened the assault with airstrikes targeting cities away from the main offensive like Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in Western Ukraine. From 2021-February 2022, Russia amassed a military build-up along its border and conducted joint military drills with Belarus on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, leading to an international crisis between the West and Russia over fears of an invasion, with Russia accusing NATO of threatening its security through eastwards expansion. Despite Russia’s denial of plans to attack, Putin’s mobilisation of troops intensified existing tensions that began in February 2014 with the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, located on the northern coast of the Black Sea.

Russia seized Crimea following the Euromaidan Uprisings in Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and the Revolution of Dignity between November 2013-February 2014. The wave of demonstrations and deadly clashes between protestors and security forces in Kyiv were demanding the removal of the then pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his government from office.

These calls were based largely on his decision to forge closer ties with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union rather than the EU. Pro-Russian unrest ensued with anti-government protests happening across Southern and Eastern Ukraine.

Amidst this chaos and instability, Russia annexed the Peninsula, with Russian-backed separatists taking control over the predominantly Russian-speaking Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in the South-east, self-proclaiming them breakaway states.

Since the Russo-Ukrainian War began, the West has become more united and reinvigorated. The US, UK, Canada and the EU have placed unprecedented financial sanctions on Russia with many brands and international companies halting business and pulling out of the country. These include McDonald’s, one of the first Western restaurants to open in the Soviet Union, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, Apple, and other luxury brands and goods.

Oligarchs—like Chelsea FC’s owner Roman Abramovich—have been sanctioned, the EU has shut its airspace to Russia, Saint Petersburg will not host the 2022 Champions League final, and Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot compete under their flags. Yet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the West to go much further, urging them to toughen financial penalties, implement a no-fly zone and intervene. Due to Putin’s invasion, the rouble has crashed, Russia is at risk of debt default, and its economy is now forecast to shrink by around 15%. Ukraine’s economy is set to contract by 10% because of the war.

As of the 13th March, more than 1.85 million Ukrainians are internally displaced persons. 2.7 million refugees have had to flee Ukraine, the majority going to neighbouring countries, resulting in the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the 1990s Yugoslav Wars. More than 1.5 million have gone to Poland, 225,000 to Hungary, with others going to Slovakia, Romania and other EU countries, Moldova, Switzerland, Norway, and Russia. Many civilians have died and soldiers fighting on both sides have been killed in this unnecessary, bloody battle.

Dreams of a peaceful future

Current military combats around the world are deeply saddening and distressing. The best solution is to de-escalate offensives and make peace. When I picture a perfect world, I think of a place full of love and respect, not division and hate. Where we cherish and celebrate our differences, as our uniquenesses unite us. A world where we are all accepting of and kinder to one another. I want to live in a world where we understand each other and approach disputes in the right way: in a friendly, amicable way, without violence, where we want the best for other human beings. I dream of world peace, not bloodshed; I dream of love and justice, not hate and aggression. A world without destruction and devastation, where there isn’t warfare, hurt and death.