Ukraine’s Struggle more than just Political

Much, if not the vast majority of this economic crisis can be attributed to the conflict between Ukrainian Government forces and Ukrainian separatists / Russian loyalists beginning as of February 2014. Since then, the world has seen a drawn out conflict, involving the Crimean independence, the still-mysterious crash of flight MH17 over Ukraine, and the skirmishing of between Russian and Ukrainian political and military elements.

With the worrying signs of the Ukrainian economy’s possibility to collapse, it reveals about how much of a timetable this conflict can last. Putin and his military show no signs of abating military forces, as recently as reported by the BBC on November 13th. NATO’s commander General Philip Breedlove stated, “Russian military equipment and troops have entered by the columns.”

Thus, Ukrainian’s struggle is not only a political and military one, but also an existential one. As the conflict continues to escalate and continue, the further the strain is placed on all aspects of Ukrainian life. This is a war of attrition, and one that Russian groups can certainly hold out longer than their Ukrainian opponents. Estimates state that Ukraine needs another $20 billion to veer the country back on track, and aid has so far been slow.

Further emphasis must be placed be those sympathetic to Ukrainian’s cause to invest the structural issues the country now faces. Military action is of course rash, due to the provocative nature of the Russian government, but aiding Ukrainian’s internal affairs will go a long way to bettering Ukraine’s stance in the region.

Michael Skok
Political Editor