Opinion: Russia vs. Ukraine

You may have seen or heard about Russian troops lining up along the Ukrainian border. Countries are preparing for a possible invasion in Ukraine at any moment. The scale of this invasion is too grand to simply brush aside.

Previously, Russia and Ukraine were part of the fifteen countries that were known as The Soviet Union (USSR). In 1991, the union broke apart due to many conflicts, resulting in Ukraine and Russia becoming their own independent countries.. In 2014, Russia invaded the Ukrainian territory of the Crimean Peninsula. In the same year, Ukraine was dealing with separatists in the region of Donbas. Russian “volunteers” joined the separatists' cause when they joined the war efforts in Donbas which led to over 14,000 deaths.

In 2021, Russia began lining up their troops along the Ukrainian border. Currently troops are still deployed and many are being added. Global tensions are rising, especially for the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO was a group that was formed after World War II. Their goal is to guarantee freedom and safety for its members.Russia is demanding that Ukraine cannot join NATO officially. If Russia is planning an invasion on Ukraine, NATO will do everything in its power to stop Russia. Exactly why it is in Russia’s list of demands.

Ukraine is already an ally of NATO, but the country cannot join until it fixes its “corruption” as stated by NATO. However, NATO is defending Ukraine as they have been sending defence ships and planes to aid Ukraine. The United States has seen the growing tensions and as an ally of Ukraine, the United States have sent in some of their own troops. Tensions are rising and the risk and scare factor is increasing. It is simply a ticking time bomb that is set to explode when no one is paying attention.

Biden has stated, "There will be enormous consequences if [Putin] were to go in and invade....not only in terms of economic consequences and political consequences, but there’ll be enormous consequences worldwide."

If Russia does invade, prepare for a war. Ukraine is standing with over 30 countries as its allies. Forces from both sides are prepared to use any means necessary to defend. The NATO is doing everything in its power to try and become allies with Ukraine without provoking any reaction from Russia.

A peaceful solution is in reach, but both sides need to cooperate. The ideal solution would be if Russia's troops back off. However, this is unlikely to happen in the near future because the tensions are too high resulting in a peaceful agreement being far out of reach. Sadly, it appears that it's only a matter of time before the powder keg explodes.