Ukraine became a nation on Aug. 22, 1991, but its sovereignty has been questioned and attacked since the Russian invasion following Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014. Currently, Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, but advances have slowed significantly due to Ukrainian resilience and strong defense. Western military aid, especially from the U.S., has been critical to Ukraine, but waning political support in the U.S. and Europe complicates the future. As of now, both Ukraine and Russia seem to be at a standstill, with no apparent resolution in sight, while the rest of the world wonders what will happen next.
On Feb. 24, 2022, events took a turn for the worse when Vladimir Putin officially declared war on Ukraine and began aggressive campaigns to capture the capital city, Kyiv. Since then, Ukraine has seen evacuation rates in Europe comparable to World War II. There are over 6 million refugees globally, 4 million displaced within Ukraine, and 14.6 million in need of humanitarian aid as of November 2024. The war has worsened food insecurity, malnutrition, an energy crisis, and gender-based violence. As a result, sexual violence and human trafficking have increased as people take advantage of the dire situation. Putin’s campaigns in Ukraine have also led to an increase in violations of children’s rights.
A United Nations commission has proven that Russia was responsible for bombing schools and hospitals. Missile trajectories prove that Russia deliberately targeted a children’s hospital, injuring 300 and forcing the evacuation of 600 patients, clear violations of the Geneva Conventions. These breaches have sparked calls for global condemnation of Russia’s tactics. As infrastructure continues to be destroyed, providing essential medical support to soldiers and civilians becomes more challenging.
Humanitarian aid remains critical in Ukraine to provide millions with food, clean water, shelter, and other fundamental human rights. However, as the war intensifies and Russia continues to weaken Ukrainian forces, humanitarian assistance is needed in increasingly dangerous areas. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has tracked that 7.2 million people have received some aid. Still, many are in need. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested $3.1 billion in aid but has only received $2 billion. As winter approaches, maintaining funding for these operations becomes more challenging.
The U.S. plays a significant role in the ongoing conflict. However, the recent war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas has led to heightened political strife in the West, complicating continued aid to Ukraine. As both wars persist, Ukraine has competed for attention in the news, with recent coverage leaning more toward Israel and Hamas. Caleb Markley, a Pennridge High School student, said regarding the changing news feeds, “I think it is bad because, without the coverage, the people in Ukraine are getting less support from the public.” President-elect Donald Trump has also publicly stated that a U.S. withdrawal from NATO and reduced military aid are possible. President Joe Biden has increased aid to Ukraine before the new administration takes office, possibly altering the U.S. and Ukraine relationship. In an interview with Pennridge High School student Joey Thomas, he expressed concern about the Russian and Ukrainian conflict, saying, “I was somewhat worried about if a draft was coming or if it could develop into a world war.”
While many hope for de-escalation, there is lingering concern about Ukraine’s sovereignty, and only time will tell what will happen next.
