I turned 18 on December 29th, 2021, and I registered for the Draft. As of January 21st, 2022, Russia has been amassing troops at the border, and a War with Ukraine seems imminent. Usually, we don’t do papers like this, I myself have only ever written articles on things I myself am passionate about, but this is IMPORTANT. More important than you and I can even imagine.

But first, let’s start with a timeline*. For much of Ukraine’s history, they have been part of one empire or another.

*source: BBC NEWS, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18010123

From 1772 through 1917: Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, yet had its own national identity apart from Russia.

1917: Ukraine centralizes power in Kyiv following the collapse of the Russian Empire following the October revolution. 

1918: Ukraine declares independence from Russia. 

1921: Ukraine was absorbed by the Soviet Union, creating a satellite state. 

1932: Massive man-made famine caused by Stalin’s economic policy, known as the Holodomor 

1939: Ukraine fully annexed by the Soviet Union 

1939-1944: Under Nazi Occupation, many die either due to wartime conflict or the Holocaust.  Largely due to the high concentration of ethnic jews in Ukraine.

1944: Ukraine was rid of Nazi occupation by the Soviet Union, thousands of ethnic minorities were deported due to false claims of Nazi collaboration.

1954: Soviets consolidate power, Resistance is crushed.

 1986: Chernobyl nuclear reactor melts down, causing one of the worst international incidents ever. Sending radioactive material all over Europe.

1991: Ukraine declares Independence

1996: Democratic constitution adopted

2002: Ukraine bids to join NATO

So, this is probably the biggest factor in current Russo-Ukrainian relations. One of the biggest reasons why Russia is so aggressive with Ukraine is because of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. To Russia, this is as if Mexico joined a bloc trying to block American influence. Needless to say, Russia was very upset.

2013: Ukraine pulls out of a bid to join the EU, many blame Russian influence and massive civil unrest start.

2014: Winter: Ukrainian president flees to Russia

2014: Summer: Pro-Russian insurgents seize parts of Ukraine on the Russian border

2014: Summer: Pro-Russian forces shoot down a plane, killing 298 people. This is now an international incident.

2014: Autumn: Russian troops enter eastern Ukraine.

2017: Ukraine joins the EU

2021: Russia begins amassing troops on the Ukrainian border for “combat drills”. These drills somehow include 100,000 troops at various parts of the border.

2022: Russian embassy is evacuated

2022: US embassy is evacuated

So the question we are left to ponder now is, Will Russia Invade? and further than that what do we do if Russia does invade?

I don’t have the answers to these questions. Nobody does. As another Superpower in the world, however, we have to recognize our special place in the world. The last thing anybody wants is another war. However, we cannot just look ideally by when another world power interferes in our elections, invades sovereign countries, and uses its power to support a government that does not care about its people.

Russia, admittedly, has had a history of annexation and warfare, while the international community does nothing but sit by ideally, not even able to give so much as a slap on the wrist due to Russia’s veto power in the UN security council.  Do I want a war? No. I mean no one wants one. But we can’t just let Russia exert its influence so violently. Each Nation has a right to sovereignty, and this includes Ukraine.

PS: I’m not really advocating for a War with Russia. I’m trying to say that the US should back Ukraine with more than empty promises.