The Struggle for Democracy in Eastern Europe
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe that has been geopolitically significant since the Cold War period. More recently, it has come into the spotlight due to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, which marked a major shift in Russian foreign policy and aggression towards its neighboring countries. The annexation of Crimea, along with the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, has put Ukraine at the forefront of a major challenge to European security and democracy.
The Ukrainian Struggle for Democracy
Ukraine has been struggling to establish a functioning democracy since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country initially struggled with corruption and political instability, which has led to a number of political crises and economic struggles, ultimately culminating in the 2014 overthrow of the pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The politically-driven revolution that followed, known as the «Euromaidan,» ushered in a new era of democratic hope for Ukraine.
The Euromaidan movement was driven by the desire of the Ukrainian people to break free from the corrupt, oligarchic system that had dominated Ukrainian politics for decades. Despite the immense economic and political challenges facing the country, millions of Ukrainians took to the streets to demand a more democratic, transparent, and accountable government.
Ukraine’s Struggle with Russian Aggression
Unfortunately, the newfound hope for democracy in Ukraine was quickly dashed by the Russian annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea has been widely seen as a violation of international law and the norms of the international system. The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has now claimed over 13,000 lives, and has led to the displacement of over two million people.
Despite the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the country has continued to make strides towards greater democracy and transparency. The Ukrainian government has worked to implement reforms in the areas of decentralization, anti-corruption, and election reform. In October 2019, Ukraine held free and fair parliamentary elections that resulted in a peaceful transfer of power.
Why Ukraine Deserves Our Support
Ukraine’s struggle for democracy is not just a matter of European security, but a critical issue for the future of democracy around the world. As Russian aggression against the country continues, it is important that the international community continues to support Ukraine in its efforts to build a democratic, transparent, and accountable government.
The following are three key reasons why Ukraine deserves our support:
1. Ukraine is a Key Player in European Security
Ukraine is strategically located between Russia and the rest of Europe, and its security is critical for the stability of the region. The annexation of Crimea and ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine have led to increased tensions between Russia and the rest of Europe, making the need for Ukrainian security even more pressing.
Ukraine’s push towards greater democracy and European integration has been a major driver of the country’s progress over the past few years. The country’s efforts to implement reforms and build a more transparent and accountable government have been widely praised by the international community.
2. Supporting Ukraine is Critical for the Future of Democracy
Ukraine’s struggle for democracy is not just a regional issue, but a critical issue for the future of democracy around the world. The challenges that Ukraine is facing in building a democratic government, fighting corruption, and defending its sovereignty are challenges that many other countries face as well.
The international community should support Ukraine’s efforts to establish a functioning democracy, as this will set an important precedent for other countries that are struggling with similar challenges.
3. Ukraine Needs Economic Support to Succeed
While Ukraine has made progress over the past few years towards greater democracy, the country still faces significant economic challenges. The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has led to a significant drain on the country’s economy, and the government has struggled to implement the necessary reforms to strengthen the country’s economic institutions.
The international community can play an important role in supporting Ukraine’s economic development through providing aid, investment, and technical assistance. This support will help Ukraine to build the necessary economic institutions to support a democratic government, and will help to mitigate the effects of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Summing Up
Ukraine’s struggle for democracy and sovereignty is a critical issue for the future of European security and the global community. As Russian aggression against the country continues, it is important that the international community continues to support Ukraine in its efforts to build a democratic, transparent, and accountable government.
Supporting Ukraine is critical for the future of democracy around the world, and the international community should take steps to provide the country with the necessary economic and political support to succeed. The challenges that Ukraine is facing are not unique, and the lessons that the country learns in building a democratic government will have implications far beyond its borders.