Ukraine battle: One yr on
13 months in the past, few folks would most likely have the ability to pinpoint Ukraine on a map or inform you who the president of that nation was.
That every one modified on 24 February 2022, when Europe woke as much as a battle in its midst when Russian President Vladimir Putin, after months of threats, introduced “a army operation in Ukraine”. However he by no means formally declared battle on Ukraine.
In that handle, Putin made unsubstantiated claims that Ukrainian forces had been finishing up a “genocide” in breakaway pro-Russian territories within the east. Explosions rang out within the capital Kyiv, on the Black Sea port of Odesa and Kharkiv on the border with Russia.
Later within the day, Russian floor forces backed by tanks and different heavy gear crossed into Ukraine from the north, south and east.
The US supplied to evacuate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Kyiv. He reportedly responded, “The battle is right here. I would like ammunition, not a trip.”
Russia anticipated it could be a simple battle. However a yr later, all indications level to Russia shedding floor. The battle has additionally proved expensive each from a political and financial viewpoint for Mom Russia.
With the backing of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Western nations, Ukraine has fought fiercely. It has managed to recapture among the territories misplaced throughout the preliminary levels of the battle.
US President Joe Biden’s latest shock go to to Kyiv additionally despatched a powerful message to Putin and the remainder of the world, indicating the west is behind Ukraine and Putin won’t be allowed to get away along with his violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On this week’s version of Friday Briefing, we replicate on the invasion over the past 12 months and the influence it has had, not simply in Ukraine and Russia but additionally again dwelling.
Rhodes College’s Professor Nhlanhla Cyril Mbatha writes it’s truthful to say even when South Africa had vehemently condemned Russia’s battle, the financial results would nonetheless have been the identical.
However he provides, given most of this nation’s enterprise is completed with Europe, the US (and solely just lately with China), our authorities ought to quite be valuing the financial well-being of its residents by aligning its overseas coverage with its financial posture.
British-Russian writer Niko Vorobyov particulars what it was prefer to get up in St Petersburg a yr in the past to listen to his nation had invaded Ukraine.
Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, writes whereas Ukrainians didn’t select this battle, they continue to be able to battle for his or her existence as a nation and nation.
We even have submissions from the Ukrainian Affiliation of South Africa and from News24 columnist Oscar van Heerden.
Hope you benefit from the learn.
Greatest,
Vanessa Banton Opinions editor
The war hasn’t left Europe freezing, but has caused crises in unexpected places
Because of a mix of preparation and luck, Europe has averted blackouts and energy cutoffs over the previous yr whereas battle has raged in Ukraine. As an alternative, much less rich nations like Pakistan and India have contended with electrical energy outages on the again of unaffordably excessive world pure gasoline costs, writes Amy Myers Jaffe.
Now I know what it was like to be German in 1939
Russian-British journalist and writer Niko Vorobyov displays on how a yr in the past, he wakened in St Petersburg to information Russia had invaded Ukraine, and the way not solely his life has modified since then, however his nation too.
One year ago, we woke up to horror
A yr in the past, Russians villainously attacked Ukraine. They stole outdated age from our dad and mom and childhood from our youngsters. Ukrainians did not select this battle, however that night time we woke as much as suchlike horror and stood able to battle for our existence as a nation and nation, writes Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova.
Ukraine war: A year in which the world changed
One of many key worldwide developments flowing from the Ukraine battle is that the world as we all know it has modified and can carry on altering. The dominance of the collective west is definitely fading. The time of coercion and cajoling smaller states to assist them is over, argues Oscar Van Heerden.
