The Ukraine Situation

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, started the largest conflict in Europe since World War II on February 24, when he directed Russian forces to invade Ukraine. Putin claims Ukraine’s land is rightfully Russia’s. Since then, Ukraine continues to endure multiple Russian missile attacks on its cities and its citizens which not only impact Ukraine but also hurt neighboring countries and the US economy as well. Diplomats and American leaders continue to negotiate a Russian withdrawal to make peace.

According to NPR, Russian missile attacks across Ukraine hit more than 400 Ukraine targets on May 2, 2022. Rockets hit electrical substations damaging the electrical grid and causing disruption in the water supply. Russian military forces also bombed the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol creating an estimated loss of 600 civilians and a total loss of 3,153 Ukrainian civilians throughout the conflict. Ukrainian forces breaking an earlier cease-fire is the claimed reason for this attack.

While Russia continues its missile attacks, sanctions against Russia energy sources continue having an immense economic impact. Europe implemented sanctions to separate from their dependency on Russian oil. Leaders in Europe are still discussing sanctions on Russian oil, introducing the idea of possible boycott. Slovakia and Hungary refuse to support the sanctions making claims their countries remain reliant on the Russian supplies and see no other alternatives for the energy. Europe is looking to create new sanctions because of their reliance on Russian energy. According to AP News  Europe pays $850 million a day for Russian energy. The sanctions exist as an effort to fight back against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. European leaders continue to discuss the topic to find a safe way for their country to move forward.

In hopes to stop the conflict Pope Francis offered to travel to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. Pope Francis made the offer in the first month of the Ukraine invasion, but he  has yet to receive a reply from Putin or the Russian government. Pope Francis claims the Russian invasion may have been provoked by the NATO alliance’s eastward expansion. Pope Francis attempts to visit Moscow before as a part of the effort to heal relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, but he has yet to receive an invitation.

In hopes of reaching resolutions, both Ukrainian and Russian leaders involved themselves in peace talks to secure neutrality. Ukrainian officials worry Putin is not fully committed to peace, and Moscow will resume their offensive. Putin showed no signs of compromise in the makings of the peace treaty wanting Russia to achieve all their war intentions in Ukraine. Putin claims that Ukrainian leaders and government are a bunch of  “Nazis” according to ADL.

Currently, Ukrainian troops offer “stiff resistance” to Russian military offensives. While US President, Joe Biden, signed on May 9, the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, passing the senate with a 417 unanimous vote. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted he is grateful for Biden signing the law, adding “I am convinced that we will win together again. … Like 77 years ago.” when World War II began. A new $40bn relief program is edging closer to passing through the senate after a hold up last week from Republican senator Rand Paul. The $40bn is going towards military, humanitarian, and economic aid to Ukraine.