What’s the war between Ukraine and Russia?
Since 2014, the image of Ukraine has been strongly associated to the ongoing war in Crimean region, on the Eastern border with Russia.
When the Maidan Revolution started in the end of 2013, it was 5 months after my first visit in Ukraine. It was completely unbelievable for me how media around the world was covering the facts in a way totally “exaggerated”, like the whole country is under war.
Media always exaggerate, it’s not the first time and it won’t be the last one. Other countries with a recent past of conflicts (for example, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina) still deal with bullshit stereotypes due to the negative PR during years.
Now, visiting Ukraine and Russia for the second time, I took the chance to ask people on both sides to talk about the conflict involving these 2 countries as always I could. On both sides, the opinions were carried out with confusion and lack of clarity due to the propaganda against the “the other side/enemy/whatever else is named” .
In Ukraine, many people speak Ukrainian and Russian at the same time, have relatives in Russia, plus the cultural connection throughout music, literature, school, etc. Having experienced these facts, a question came to my mind: do Ukrainians and Russians really hate each other like the media propaganda are messaging?
Surely the conflict in Crimean region instigated division among the people in Ukraine, raising questions such as
“Are we Ukrainians?”
“Are we Russians?”
“Who are we, really?”
The main point is: not so many people in Ukraine would imagine the war. Really! Indeed, it is a conflict among governments and politicians. And do they really represent the people who live in involved countries? Or do they use government and politics for their personal ineterests?
Anyway, why the conflict is based in Crimea? Because Crimea is easy to invade and start the occupation. Most of people who live in Crimea speak more Russian than Ukrainian, which makes easy to manipulate making propaganda around the language conflict.
As I could observe, the current conflict in Crimea is going according to the following dynamics:
- On a international level, a conflict among Russia, European Union and USA;
- On a national level, a fight for power among the Easter and Western Ukrainian oligarchs who control the business and politics in the country.
- And Ukraine is only in the middle, as a matter of fact.
Why? I sincerely don’t know.
One important point to pay attention is the strategical role Ukraine plays in Europe. The country is a big producer and exporter of grains, moreover the excellent soil for agriculture. 4 out of 10 main European transport corridors run through Ukraine.
No intention to belittle the conflict, as hundreds — if not thousands — of people have died since the political problem between Ukraine and Russia have started. How many? I don’t know.
Although the political sanctions towards Russia and Ukraine, I could travel safely. The only problem I had was dealing with Ukrainian police on the border trying to take bribes (I didn’t pay any bribe and it’s a story I want to share on another post).
PS: You can check the pictures I take on my Instagram account andref.anjos and through the hashtag #feelukraine.
