avatarMallick Speaks

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Ukrainians are unfortunate people. They were brutally exploited by Russians, Germans, and Poles

Ukraine was one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union when the USSR was established in 1922.

These founding republics had agreed to join a federal system based on the principles of socialism and communism.

After the disintegration of the Russian Empire, Ukraine declared independence. This declaration was opposed by the Bolshevik army, anti-Bolshevik army and some foreign forces, including Germany, and Austria. Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

Foreign powers like Germany and Austria-Hungary wanted to make Ukraine a client state.

Poland and Ukraine fought a war in 1918–19 over the regions of Galicia and Volhynia . Poland was opposed to the idea of independent Ukraine.

Romania also opposed Ukraine’s independence. It wanted some parts of Bukovina and Bessarabia.

History tells us that during and after the Russian Revolution, the Red Army started military campaigns against Ukraine. They faced tough resistance from the Ukraine. They captured some areas and established a rival Ukrainian Soviet government in Kharkov.

In 1918, Ukraine requested help from the Central Powers. Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria were in the central powers. Ukraine signed a treaty with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The central power provided military aid. Their forces entered Ukraine in 1918 and managed to push back Bolshevik forces.

Germany and Austria-Hungary started to exploit Ukraine. Ukraine used to produce food in large quantities. Both of these countries helped Ukraine because of food and other resources. Ukraine faced harsh economic demands under the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Germany’s harsh policies angered Ukrainians.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine sought closer ties with the West. The democratic and liberal values of the western countries in Europe and America attracted them. They were under repressive rules for a long time, and the lack of political participation and civil liberties appealed to them.

Why did Ukrainians not look to Russia? There were many factors that compelled Ukraine to look to the west. Ukrainians had experienced periods of russification. Ukrainian culture and political autonomy were brutally suppressed during the soviet era.

Ukrainians still remember the man made famine called Holodomor (1932–1933). This has resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. These historical issues have created a sense of mistrust towards Russians.

Russian foreign policy and military actions after the fall of the Soviet Union have made them suspicious of the Russians. Russian support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine further alarmed them. Ukrainians started thinking that Russian actions are a threat to their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Despite brutal exploitation and repression from Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Poland, why do Ukrainians look to them for help? Ukrainians think of them as a lesser evil. What happened in Crimea and the Donbas and Russia’s attempts to dominate them frightened. In order to counter Russian influence , they ignored the pass grievances with Poland, Germany, and other European countries and asked them for help.

They want to join the European Union because of shared belief in democracy , human rights, and market economies. They were looking towards NATO membership for permanent security.

We all know that in national politics , yesterdays enemies can become today’s allies in the face of new threats. Ukraine’s

Russia
Ukraine
Germany
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