Russia and Ukraine: What to Know

Rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine have led the world to fear a war between the two, but this is just a small part of a much greater conflict. Since Ukraine and other nearby countries gained their freedom from the Soviet Union in 1991, they have feared that Russia would attempt to build a new empire and take control over them again. Several neighboring countries, including Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary, have joined NATO in an effort to gain allies who will protect them in the event of an attack or invasion. However, Ukraine has long been denied membership because Russia sees this as an act of confrontation towards their country. Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, wants Ukraine barred from ever joining NATO. Russia’s insistence on this point has caused other nations to pause negotiations with Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO because of concerns of Russian aggression. However, those countries failed to protect Georgia from the Russian invasion in 2008.

Many have long feared that the same result would happen if Ukraine is not protected. In 2014, Russia broke a 1994 treaty, which respected the post-Soviet borders, by illegally annexing Crimea, a Ukrainian territory, into their borders in a conflict sometimes known as the 2014 Crimean Crisis. Since then, tensions between the two countries have been steadily rising. Putin seeks to bring the whole of Ukraine back under Russian control, while the Ukrainians want independence and safety from their neighbor. Recently, the Russians amassed a force of more than 100,000 troops at the Ukrainian border, an act which they claim is not a precursor to war. However, the U.S., which firmly supports Ukraine and has supplied them with aid and weapons, worries Russia will attack soon. It seems Putin wants to send a message to Ukraine and the rest of the world that if their demands are not met, there will be dire consequences. The Americans have threatened war on the Russians if they attack Ukraine.

Pennridge social studies teacher Timothy Busch is concerned at the prospect of war with Russia, saying, “Number one concern is to avoid war at all costs and have a peaceful resolution.” He also hopes that if there is a war, the U.S. will not be the only country to step in against Putin. As it has escalated, Busch and other Pennridge teachers have begun informing students of the conflict. Students should know about such a potentially dangerous situation, especially since the U.S. is directly involved. Heidi Neuman, another social studies teacher at Pennridge, stated, “It’s interesting you are seeing history unfold and it is something that will be talked about for years.” The world anxiously awaits if the Russia-Ukraine conflict will go down in history as a tragedy, or as a crisis averted.