It’s been all over the news recently: Kiev is burning and Ukrainians are dying every day. In the past two weeks, there’s been a truce, a massive violation of this ceasefire, a president on the run, and an inside look at a tyrant’s palace. But what does this all mean? Why should you, the lowly college student, care? Read on to find out.
Why did this happen?
As I explained in my 2014 predictions for Ukraine, the conflict started as backlash to then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign an EU trade and political cooperation agreement. Instead of strengthening ties with his country’s western neighbors, Yanukovych decided to turn to his brother in Moscow for financial and political support. In the beginning, protests were mostly peaceful, but that all changed mid-February, when violent clashes erupted in the country’s capital.
What’s the result?
To date, the most important result from the Ukrainian conflict is opposition victory. Not only did Yanukovych flee to somewhere in the eastern part of the country, but the Ukrainian parliament voted to strip him of his powers and free his political enemy, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Yanukovych’s absence paves a clear path for presidential elections, which are to be held on May 25. Candidates may register until April 4, but many speculate that Tymoshenko and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko are top contenders.
With Ukraine on the road to a new political future, there are many things that must be done to ensure that the fragile country does not collapse. A New York Times Op-Ed by Ulrich Speck highlights What the West Must Do for Ukraine, which includes providing a viable aid package and ensuring that Russia does not support the break up of the country. That being said, some experts believe that the country would be better off if Ukraine split.
What’s the big deal?
Unless you have friends or family in Ukraine, it’s easy to think that this conflict has no implications on this side of the globe. But in reality, it does. With Ukrainian human rights and democracy being called into question, more and more Western resources will be pumped into the region to try and stabilize the country. This means that there will be more opportunities to participate in government and NGO efforts. Perhaps Princeton should start offering Ukrainian language classes, да?
For more information on the conflict, check out the Council on Foreign Relations Ukraine’s New Era of Uncertainty, Issue Guide: Crisis in Ukraine, and Max Fisher’s stellar piece for the Washington Post 9 Questions About Ukraine You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask