War in Europe - EUFridays Special Edition
Panka Király
Feb-25-2022
On the 24th of February, at dawn, people from all around Ukraine were woken up by explosions and air sirens. Russia started its invasion. What could be the Russian prime minister’s motive? What kind of diplomatic failures led to this devastating attack?
By air, land, and sea, in less than 24 hours, the military troops marched into the country from 3 main directions and have already caused unimaginable damage. Dozens of targets have been struck.
Strikes from the north begun through a three-way junction at Skenkivka. Rocket systems cleared a direct path to the capital, Kyiv and airborne troops already took control of several airfields, including the international airport of Kyiv. Zelensky said that Ukrainian armies are currently fighting at Chernobyl, since Russian forces seized the powerplant yesterday afternoon.
From the east borders, where the initial military build-up has begun, tanks arrived in Kharkiv, which is the country’s second largest city. Parts of the city have been shelled and bombings are constant. The Russian backed separatists in the Eastern region are disorganizing the country from within and made offensives on the Ukrainian controlled towns.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. The peninsula has a defining strategic value for the Russian armies. Because of its warm water port and extensive infrastructure, Sevastopol is the best naval base in the territory. Furthermore, the harbour gives home to the Black Sea Fleet, which provides Russia the ability to project power in and around the area. Putin has previously positioned landing ships in Crimea, that are able to deploy battle tanks. Further troops arrived in Odesa and Mariupol yesterday.
We can all ask the question: why is Russia invading Ukraine?
For months, Putin denied his intentions and called accusations, concerning the invasion, ridiculous. He mainly avoided press conferences concerning the crisis and whenever the topic, that keep the entire world in suspense, arose he signalled willingness to negotiate, therefore the operation struck everyone. Putin says, “Russia could not feel safe, develop, and exist because of the modern Ukraine’s constant threat. Russia has long resisted Ukraine’s move towards the EU and the NATO.”
After all the negotiations, diplomatic efforts failed. Western allies attempt to persuade Russia to put an end to the military accretion at the borders, was unsuccessful. US and its allies have been negotiating and meeting with Russian counterparts ever since the satellite spotted the military build-up at the eastern borders. Biden and Putin sat down myriad times and Biden emphasised that sever economic sanctions and massive measurements will be taken if the tension does not come to an end. The President’s reaction was that sanctions of this kind would cause a complete rupture of relations between the two countries.
On Thursday, at last, Putin approved special military operations and the invasion started. Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law and cut diplomatic ties with Moscow. He said that now a new iron curtain separates Russia from the civilised world.
Ukraine recruits without age restrictions. “Ukrainian people show real heroism”-said President Zelensky who called on all citizens who can bear arms to join in the defence of their homeland.
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Statement of the President of JEF Hungary on the crisis in Ukraine
We do not tolerate military aggression. We cannot allow young people like us to experience the horrors of war. And we cannot remain silent.
We strongly condemn the Russian attack, which is unprovoked and unreasonable, and we call for de-escalation.
We are concerned about the lives that are in danger, and about the threat that this attack poses to regional stability and prosperity.
What is happening now in Ukraine is unacceptable. It is a violation of International Law, and an attack on the rules-based international order. Russia is disrespecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and it must be held accountable.
The current crisis makes us question life and politics as we know it. Many politicians and diplomats call this event the worst conflict since WWII. But what can we do to make sure nothing like this happens again?
We must stand up for the values that we believe in, and we must reinforce our commitments to peace, democracy, and rule of law, and we must put forward sanctions that match the severity of the situation.
The current crisis is the result of the systematic breakdown of the democratic institutions in Russia, the unlawful accumulation of power in one hand, and the reluctance of the international community to make a stronger stance against Russia.
Authoritarian leaders cannot be the friends of the European Union. They pose a threat to peace and prosperity, and as it seems diplomatic reasoning cannot convince them.
We need a different approach as well.
In this regard, EU foreign policy is at cross-roads. We can talk about a shared vision, united language, and speaking with one voice. But if the EU cannot properly address the crisis and prove to be a powerful actor that is influential in its neighbourhood, the Common Foreign and Security Policy fails.
We are calling for stronger restrictive measures against Russia. If this is really the worst moment in history since the Second World War, let’s prove that we can do things differently. Let’s see the economic hard power of the European Union in full swing.
We ask European leaders to be United, be Assertive, and be Strong.
It is up to them to set a precedent, and to prove the sceptics wrong.
Make history, and make it a good one. Don’t let us down.
We stand united for Ukraine, and our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.
Responses of the European Union to the crisis:
The initial response as tweeted by many high-level officials:
We strongly condemn Russia´s unjustified attack on #Ukraine.
In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.
We will hold the Kremlin accountable.
(EU top-job holder’s tweets were identical, which can be seen as a conscious effort to speak with one voice and to show unity)
List of sanctions introduced by the European Union:
- First, financial sanctions, targeting 70% of the Russian banking market and key state owned companies, including in defence.
- Second, targeting the energy sector, a key economic area which especially benefits the Russian state.
- This includes an export ban that will hit the oil sector by making it impossible for Russia to upgrade its refineries.
- Third, banning of the sale of aircrafts and equipment to Russian airlines.
- Fourth, limiting Russia's access to crucial technology, such as semiconductors or cutting-edge software.
- And lastly: visas - diplomats and related groups and business people will no longer have privileged access to the European Union.
Read JEF Europe’s statement here:
If you wish to help Ukrainians / donate to charities:
https://redcross.org.ua/en/donate/