Essay Example on Ukraine Geopolitics

Russia and NATO have had an interest in Ukraine a factor that has caused the country to have divided opinion on the side to support (Wade, 2015, p. 8). Putin, the Russian president, has been against NATOs wish to allow Ukraine to join it (Mearsheimer, 2014, p. 2). He has been seen it as a threat by allowing the Western Europe into doorstep (Wade, 2015, p. 8). NATO has been fueling the crisis by openly admitting their readiness to accept Ukraine as a member (Mearsheimer, 2014, p. 2). Economic aid from NATO and Russia have been a source of the major crisis in the country because of the division existing. On top of the influence of NATO and Russia in Ukraines geopolitics, the US has also played a part in its activities in Russia as well the position it took in the conflicts of interest between the two major external players (Kennan, 1997, p. 1). The US finally become an ally of NATO and given its influence in Ukraine, and it has affected the political issues in the country.

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The crisis in Ukraine can also be attributed to domestic factors. First, the population is divided into two regarding their view towards the interests of Russia and NATO (Gysi, 2014; Matlock, 2014, p. 1). The eastern side and Crimea who mostly speak Russian support Russia interest because of the economic benefits they get such as discounted gas prices and the possible protection of their culture (Petro, 2014, p. 5). On the other hand, the western side supports the NATO interest because of the democratic policies. The division in the domestic population has had a lot of impact on the political situation in Ukraine. A policy decision of local political leaders has also been a factor in the ongoing crisis. For example, the move by President Yanukovych to reject a financial offer by the European Union and taking the one by Russia lead to the start of antigovernment demonstrations (Mearsheimer, 2014, p. 3). Also, the choice of political leaders to take a side on the rivalry between Russia and NATO has been a source of the crisis (Hallinan, 2014, p. 14).

The problem facing Ukraine can be solved internationally by countries like the US and its allies deciding to end their interest. The move would reduce the tension felt by Russia as it sees the efforts of the countries as a threat at their doorstep. Russia on the other hand by having reduced feeling risk there is a possibility it would stop their aim of expanding their territory and military interference in the affairs of Ukraine. President Putin declared that they would not stop their efforts to put Ukraine, not unless the possibility of joining NATO ends. NATO can also help in minimizing the crisis by openly declaring that they are not accepting new members including Ukraine, a move that would ease the fear of Russia even if some part of Ukraine remains interested in joining. European national leaders should stop making a statement that increases the crisis and enhances the anger of Putin on the issues of Ukraine (Gysi, 2014). It is because any powerful nation would feel threatened when another nation of nationals has their military in a neighbor. Logically, the statements made by another country on NATOs stand of allowing Ukraine to become a member angers Russian authorities and hence enhances the crisis.

The locals of Ukraine can participate in bringing to an end to the crisis observed in the country by taking peaceful measures such as refraining from engaging in civil war. Also, the leadership of the country can help in the situation by creating a unified government that represents all the people of the county. It can also fail to take any side and remain neutral on their support to Russia o NATO, a factor that could stop angering part of the citizens because of their personal reasons. The local leaders must accept that they abide to the constitution on running of the countrys affairs (Matlock, 2014, p. 4).

References

Gysi, G. (2014). On Ukraine and Crimea crisis. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pculDDRKHdg

Hallinan, C. (2014). The Dark Side of the Ukraine Revolt. The Nation. Retrieved 17 October 2016, from http://www.thenation.com/article/dark-side-ukraine-revolt/

Kennan, G. (1997). A Fateful Error. New York Times.Matlock, J. (2014). Ukraine: Cool the Rhetoric; Focus on the Outcome | JackMatlock.com.Jackmatlock.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016, from http://jackmatlock.com/2014/08/ukraine-cool-the-rhetoric-focus-on-the-outcome/

Matlock, J. (2014). Ukraine: The Price of Internal Division. Retrieved from http://jackmatlock.com/2014/03/ukraine-the-price-of-internal-division/

Mearsheimer, J. (2014). Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the Wests Fault. Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 17 October 2016, from http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141769/john-j-mearsheimer/why-the-ukraine-crisis-is-the-wests-fault

Petro, N. (2014). The Real War in Ukraine: The Battle over Ukrainian Identity. The National Interest. Retrieved 17 October 2016, from http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-real-war-ukraine-the-battle-over-ukrainian-identity-11782

Wade, R. (2015). The Ukraine crisis is not what it seems. Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 17 October 2016, from http://mondediplo.com/blogs/the-ukraine-crisis-is-not-what-it-seems