Prologue
Ukraine, an eastern European nation, is simmering in crisis due to an ongoing conflict with Russia. The Russia-Ukraine conundrum can be traced back to 2014 when Ukraine was getting close to European Union. As Ukraine is the former Soviet Republic and a neighbouring country, this was not digestible to Russia. The imbroglio that started in 2014 was somehow resolved through Minsk Agreement in 2015.
The situation again went out of control in March 2021 when Russian forces killed 4 Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbas region. Since then, the EU and US have been trying to bring a thaw in relations between Ukraine and Russia as the crisis is worsening with every passing day.
A brief overview of the past
Ukraine, which was a former Soviet state, got into contact with the EU for its membership and to be termed as a western nation. Having a common border was not something that Russia would have wanted. Pro-Russian Victor Yanukovych, who was the fourth president of Ukraine, suspended European Union Association Agreement in 2013 that would have turned Ukraine into a western nation.
This act of his led to a huge protest and demonstrations in Kyiv. People gathered in street to protest against this step of Yanukovych. On the other hand, many hailed the initiative of the president. This led to a mass division in the nation. Ukraine, which was already divided geographically between Europe and Russia was not divided by people having a difference of opinion.
Later on, there were two classes namely pro-European and pro-Russian. The Pro-Russian separatist wanted to take control of eastern Ukraine. The Crimean Parliament decided to hold a referendum that would allow the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
Russians, illegally, annexed Crimea through the 16th March 2014 referendum. Following that, Ukraine’s socio-economic and political situation was at its nadir. Pro-Russian separatist slowly and steadily also took control of the Donbas region and have been controlling these areas for the last 7 years.
The prevailing situation in Ukraine
The Paris summit was held in December 2019 where Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, and OSCE (Organization for security and co-operation in Europe) took part and stressed cease-fire and complete loyalty to Minsk Agreement.
The Minsk Agreement which was signed in 2014 and 2015 was about the thaw in relations between the Kyiv administration and pro-Russian separatist. The agreement insisted on removing differences and a constitutional arrangement that would give Donbas a special status.
The Minsk pact also focused on the withdrawal of weapon and pro-Russian separatist from the eastern region of the country. The agreement was not being fully followed and both parties were in breach of it. According to OSCE, Russia supplies weapons and supports the separatist in Ukraine.
Russia, Ukraine, and OSCE made a comprehensive arrangement in July 2020 to ensure a ceasefire across the region until 2021. The situation went out of control in March 2021 when Russian forces killed 4 soldiers of the Ukrainian army. Since then, the border skirmishes continue to rise.
EU and US reaction
EU and US have spoken in favour of Ukraine and said that the territorial integrity of eastern European nation must not be challenged. Joe Bidden has personally called Volodymyr Zelensky and ensured him of his support in case of any unwarranted situation. Borris Johnson had also called the president of Ukraine to ensure his support in case of any crisis. Josep Borrel, the high representative of EU foreign Affairs expressed concerns keeping in view the Russian war-mongering attitude.
Epilogue
In a crux, the Russia-Ukraine conundrum could lead to a new cold war era. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, separatist, and civilians have been killed in this conflict. Bandwagoning in the region, especially Europe could lead to a world war as was the case in the earlier two World Wars where the flashpoint was always Europe.
The world community must understand the gravity of the matter and look into it and give their best to mediate the situation which could flare up the Cold War between the US and Russia.
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