Ukraine and Russia: A history, a war, a crisis
During our last spring semester as students in the Communication, Media & Culture department and as part of the AD & PR Lab, we had the opportunity to attend a pioneering module on Crisis Management. Our task was to conduct research on Ukraine’s history and analyze the Ukraine-Russia crisis over the last years.
What is happening in Europe because of the Russian — Ukrainian issue?
Unfortunately, as everyone knows, in the last few days Russia has declared war on Ukraine, a war that has consequences throughout the whole world in general and especially in Europe. First of all, we must mention the major increase of the prices of some main food items such as grain, cereals, corn etc. Lets not forget that Ukraine is capable of providing these goods for 600 million people and both Russia and Ukraine, combined are exporting approximately ¼ of the grain in the world.
We can also see an increase in the prices of fertilizers as a result of the increase of the prices of gas. Another important change that this war brought is that of the 27-nation-bloc that in the past took its time to make decisions, now unanimously and quickly, for the first time in history decided to buy and transport weapons to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.
Immigration problem
Furthermore, changes will be noticed in the immigration sector as major waves of immigrants from Ukraine will spread in the rest of Europe. Also the sanctions from the rest of Europe to Russia and the embargo that will be in Russian products and services (such as gas) will have a major impact and effect not only in Russia but also the rest of the world. This war could not leave tourism uneffected, that it is unknown when it will recover. Last but not least, we can see a much more united Europe that has evolved in a few days in the defensive section, security and forreign affairs.
Henry Kissinger: Remembering the great diplomat about the Ukrainian issue
Henry A. Kissinger was secretary of state from 1973 to 1977 when Richard Nixon was the president of the United States. He comes from a Jewish family and is also considered an incredibly skilled diplomat. 8 years ago he had warned the other American politicians and the American establishment about the dramatic developments for all the mistakes they made in Ukraine from 2004 to 2014, but also the fatal overthrow of the then elected Ukrainian. President, Yanukovych. The Ukrainian problem has always been a question of confrontation and confrontation between East and West over which side to join. He insists that Ukraine should not join either side if it wants to survive and prosper. It should act as a bridge (a buffer state) between them and nothing more. Ukraine was the cradle of the Russian Empire, the seat of the Russians. “Russia would not be able to impose a military solution without isolating itself at a time when many of its borders are already insecure. “For the West, demonizing Vladimir Putin is not political, it is an alibi for its absence’’ he said.
Ukraine and Russia: Many commons, yet so many differences.
It would be good to mention the history of Ukraine with general words. It is the largest country in Europe after Russia and the capital is Kyiv. In the 9th century, in the present-day territories of Ukraine, was founded by the Varangians, who became known as the “Russians of Kiev”, the state of Russia or Kievan Rus’. After World War I and the Russian Civil War, on December 30, 1922, Ukraine became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The territory of the Soviet & Socialist Republic was extended to western Europe shortly before World War II and to the south in 1954 with the transfer of Crimea to the territory of Ukraine. In 1945, S.S. The Republic of Ukraine became one of the founding members of the United Nations Ukraine became independent again after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Russian church has been in a rift since the rapid developments with Crimea in Ukraine. Russia no longer follows a common line with the churches belonging to the Istanbul Patriarchate, so they can not dismiss Putin because his church is now independent. This had happened because Bartholomew recognized the Ukrainian church as autonomous while until then it was under the Russian church, Russia did not accept this and was cut off from the other Orthodox churches. Of course, behind all this there are political interests and the patriarchate of Istanbul is pro-American.
Thoughts, conclusions, what if?
In conclusion, Ukraine is rich in natural resources. Coal mining, chemicals, mechanical products (aircraft, turbines, traction engines and tractors) and the shipbuilding industry are also important sectors of the Ukrainian economy. This crisis has geopolitical economic factors for example the factories that make car cables will not work and have to go to other factories. At the same time it has a serious shipbuilding industry. If the Russians take Odessa and the south (to make it an enclosed state by sea) it will have all the shipyards, so it will have no border with the sea.
SOURCES
- https://medium.com/crisis-management-simulation-lab-by-adandprlab-at/ukraine-2022-548b66f35ef5
- https://www.iefimerida.gr/kosmos/kisingker-profiteia-gia-oykrania-2014
- A Brief History Of Ukraine
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/henry-kissinger-to-settle-the-ukraine-crisis-start-at-the-end/2014/03/05/46dad868-a496-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html
- CNN.gr: Έκτακτη επικαιρότητα, Ειδήσεις, Ελλάδα, Κόσμος, Πολιτική, Οικονομία, Σπορ https://www.cnn.gr/
- War in Ukraine: How Russia is recruiting mercenaries- BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60711211
- Four ways the world has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine — CNN https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/03/05/europe/world-changes-ukraine-russia-intl-cmd/index.html
- How the War in Ukraine Affects the EU Migration Situation — SchengenVisaInfo.com https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/how-the-war-in-ukraine-affects-the-eu-migration-situation/
Our professors and mentors:
Betty Tsakarestou, Mania Xenou
Our ADventure team members:
Katherine Papagianni, Theodora Filopoulou, Effie Karpathaki, Demetra Tzorou, Eirhnhzh, Μαρίνα Σ.
