Russia-Ukraine Conflict Intensifies

     Past conflict between Russia and Ukraine brings current pressure due to some of Russia’s most recent actions that raise high suspicions in regards to Ukraine. It may catch people off guard that the US is so concerned about the situation surrounding Russia and Ukraine, and that is because the US is a part of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or Atlantic Alliance (NATO). NATO is an international military alliance between many European countries, North American countries, and one Eurasian country. This means for this particular situation that if Russia is to start a war with Ukraine, the US and other countries involved in NATO have made an obligation to provide military assistance to Ukraine.

     For some here in Ripon, this conflict hits a little closer to home, specifically RHS’s own Dr. Samborski, who is from Ukraine. 

     “Most concerning is the reluctance of the Russian government  to understand that Ukraine is an independent state and it has its own right to choose whether to join the European Union, NATO, and other allies,” claims Samborski. 

     However, it’s important to understand that Ukraine has not officially joined NATO, they are currently only a part of NATO’s enhanced opportunity partner interoperability program, yet either way the US remains an ally of Ukraine to show support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in regards to their own borders. Other than NATO, Ukraine still holds their national security system of European Integration.

     It has been reported that 130,000 troops are positioned in close proximity to Ukraine’s borders or right at them as Russia demands security guarantees from the West. Not only have there been Russian troops planted at Ukraine’s borders, but they also started intense naval drills and exercises. Russia claims that they will and have been dismissing some of their drill groups, but it hasn’t been made clear that that’s really the case here. 

     “… This flareup is very dangerous because a great number of troops are surrounded around the city, Ukraine and ‘Putler’ can do anything at any moment,” states Samborski, comparing Putin to Hitler.  

     Ukraine would probably not be so worried if not for Russia invading them priorly in 2014 which resulted in illegally annexing Crimea, Ukraine and forcing Ukraine to get natural gas imports from European countries. Russian authorities continue to dismiss the claims of invading Ukraine, but only time and evidence will reveal the truth.  

     “Ukraine will defend itself, it will not kneel, it will not give up their freedom and their strive for diplomatic state and the United States has been the strongest, largest supporter of Ukraine,” claims Samborski, “I would also like to thank all the American people on behalf of the Ukrainian people for helping during this situation, that’s what they tell me every time.” 

     The story is ongoing if you want to learn more about this you can visit other reliable sources below: 

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/10/world/russia-ukraine-us 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589