The Ukraine War is horrible and senseless, even though the exact number of casualties is unknown. Some estimate that over 600 thousands deaths and a million injuries on both sides. The Ukraine War happened more than ten years ago after Ukrainians overthrew the Ukrainian president who allied with Russia. Russia reacted by annexing the Crimea from Ukraine, and supported two separatist regions revolting against Ukraine. The War intensified into full-scale war in early 2022.
Let’s go back to history so that we can understand better the history between Ukraine and Russia. Russia and Ukraine are the same root, originated from the East Slavic. They share a similar culture and language. Before the Soviet Union, Ukraine was ruled by the Russian Empire. During the Soviet Union, Ukraine became a country within the Soviet Union. In 1954, Soviet leader Khrushchev transferred the Crimea to Ukraine from Russia for economic reasons because the Crimea shares a land border with Ukraine. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine became an independent country. Because of culture and history, Ukraine closed ties with Russia. In 1994, Ukraine agreed to transfer its nukes to Russia for dismantlement, and Russia, the UK, and the US assured Ukraine sovereignty. In 2005, Ukraine intensified the Dialogue program with NATO to become a member, and Russia warned Ukraine and NATO that it would never accept Ukraine joining NATO. In 2010, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and the Ukrainian parliament voted to abandon the goal of NATO membership and re-affirm Ukraine’s neutral status. The 2014 Ukrainian Revolution turned upside down when Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown and replaced by a president who allied with the West and wanted to join NATO. Russia fiercely reacted by annexing Crimea and supporting two separatist regions near the Russian border. During the period from 2014 to 2022, Ukraine had policies and passed the laws to limit the use of the Russian language in public and education. Even worse, Ukraine didn’t control many of the Ukrainian fascist groups that targeted ethnic Russian and people whose primary language is Russian. I watched a documentary from France, it showed many Ukrainian fascist groups targeting ethnic Russians. One incident, the Ukrainian police turned a blind eye to the Ukrainian fascist groups targeting ethnic Russians, caused more than 30 deaths. I think there were many acts of violence against ethnic Russians that the world media didn’t cover. Eventually, Russia had good reasons to invade Ukraine in early 2022.
What were the US, EU mistakes? When you encouraged Ukraine to abandon its nukes, it meant Ukraine could not be fully independent to do whatever it wanted. In addition, Ukraine is a corrupt country, poor, and has many social problems. Why did the US and the EU want to invite Ukraine into their organization for more troubles? Look at Ukraine, it doesn’t have enough qualifications to be admitted to the EU and NATO. Ukraine is better to associate with Russia for world peace.
What were Ukraine’s mistakes? After Ukraine abandoned its nukes, it meant you had to rely on a big neighbor for protection. That is how the world politics work. Ukraine just gained independence less than three decades( I talk about 2014 point). In addition, Ukraine had about 20 percent ethnic Russian and many people speak the Russian language as their mother tongue. Russia never accepts Ukraine joining NATO, which Russia considers the biggest threat for its security. Why? Ukraine pre-war had a population of about 40 million people, a 2000 km length land border and a strategic marine base in Crimea. Even though the Russian economy is not strong, its military is still number two just behind the US.
The Ukraine war map as of today
Look at the map above, we can see Ukraine lost about 20 percent of its land. If the war continues for long, Ukraine may lose more land. Why? Because Ukraine is low on soldiers and relies almost on sophisticated weapons from the US and the EU. In another hand, Russia has more soldiers and can produce all of its weapons.
Just a few days ago, the world witnessed the shouting debate between Zelensky on one side and Trump, Vance on the other side. Do you know why Trump and Vance criticized Zelensky? Because Zelensky didn’t know about basic world politics. I don’t know why Ukrainians voted for him. Let me give you guys an example to understand why the Ukraine war should not happen. If Justine Trudeau joins military alliance with Russia or China, Trump will become Putin and Canada will become a war-torn country like Ukraine.
I don’t know why many Americans criticized Trump for forcing Ukraine to make peace with Russia. Do Americans think the US can support prolonged war in Ukraine, and the risk of World War 3? Do you guys think Ukraine can have the possible outcome of a prolonged war? Let me give you guys a funny example to understand Ukraine’s war situation. Three best friends are Ukraine, the US, and the EU. The US and the EU invested a lot of money in Ukraine’s business. After a few years, the US had foreseen that Ukraine’s business was going to lose everything, such as Ukraine’s house, wife, and children. So the US withdraws the remaining money and forces the Ukraine to stop that risky business. In this case, do you consider Trump as an abandoner or a rescuer of Ukraine’s best friend? I guess the answer depends on everyone’s perspective. President Trump is cleaning up the previous American leaders’ mistakes in Ukraine.
I don’t pick a side in Ukraine’s war. In my perspective, Ukraine, the US, and the EU provoked Russia to the point that Russia must react. Russia invades Ukraine, causing a lot of people’s deaths on both sides. I don’t think Russia had the right to wage the war with its neighbor. If the US was put in Russia’s shoes, the US would do the same. People should listen to both sides’ stories before you guys pick any side. Why should you guys support my blog? In my blog, I give you guys impartial narratives. Please share and leave comments.