Ukraine v.s. Russia, the Next Big Conflict?

Recently, the world has faced a lot of calamities, but the one conflict that is currently drawing the world's attention is the one between Russia and Ukraine. This is no simple dispute, since it has gone on ever since Ukraine became independent of the Soviet Union 30 years ago. The main reason that it has recently monopolized the news is because of the 100,000 troops that Russia has set on the Ukrainian border, which caused the U.S.´s Pentagon to put 8,500 troops on standby. What Russia wants to get out of this and the reason they have taken up these measures is that they want to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and the European Union and because President Vladimir Putin considers Ukraine an extension of Russian territory. This has caused the constant tension between both nations for decades since Ukraine looks to join NATO and the European Union and are independent of Russia, but Putin has searched to prevent said things from happening.

Because of all of this, Ukraine has received the support from various western nations that have spoken out against Russia’s actions. Still, the main question that remains is, will there be an all-out war? The immediate answer to this is, only time will tell. There are two main reasons why the war could begin. The first one being that Russia invades Ukraine and Ukraine’s allies come to its aid, and the second-and least likely one-being that Ukraine’s allies set food within its territory and Russia decides to respond to this by doing the same. Even though this is happening on the other side of the world, our lives as teenagers could be gravely affected because of the most likely event of nations taking sides that could lead to a negative impact on the worldwide economy and trade (like product shortages such as gas), the constant threat and possibility of the use of nuclear weapons (that might not physically affect Mexico but release toxic gases that travel through the air), and more. The one thing left to do is to hope this conflict can be solved peacefully and that Russia respects Ukraine.

Bibliography

Agencia, R . (2022, January 26). Rusia contra Ucrania: Cinco puntos para entender el conflicto. Retrieved from https://www.unotv.com/internacional/rusia-contra-ucrania-cinco-puntos-para-entender-el-conflicto/ 

Al Jazeera. “A Simple Guide to the Ukraine-Russia Crisis: 5 Things to Know.” Ukraine-Russia Crisis News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 27 Jan. 2022, www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/25/five-things-to-know-about-russia-ukraine-tensions