The world watched in horror as Russia launched its war on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, the global scene has been in a state of flux, with new developments and consequences emerging every day.
The people of the United Kingdom will unite in silence on February 24th to mark the first anniversary of the Russian war on Ukraine. At 11 am, the country will observe a minute of silence as a tribute to the bravery of Ukrainians and to show solidarity with the country as it continues its courageous fight.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will lead the nation in the observance from his Downing Street office and house. The government has also called on individuals and organizations across the UK to take part in this national moment of remembrance.
The past year has seen the UK public show their true generosity of spirit and their unwavering belief in freedom. As we honor those affected by this conflict, we also remember the importance of international cooperation and the value of our alliances.
Here, we take a closer look at what has transpired on the global scene since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marked a significant escalation in the conflict between the two nations. Russian forces took control of the eastern regions of Ukraine, citing concerns for the safety of Russian-speaking minorities in the area. The move was met with swift international condemnation, and sanctions were imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union, and other countries.
Russia-Ukraine War Global Impact
The impact of the Russia-Ukraine War has been far-reaching, with consequences for the global community. One of the most significant impacts has been on the international system of alliances. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been particularly affected, with member countries voicing their support for Ukraine. NATO has increased its presence in the region, and joint military exercises have been conducted with Ukraine and other countries.
The conflict has also highlighted the growing divide between Russia and the rest of the world. Many countries have condemned Russia’s actions, while others have expressed support for the Russian government. The war has forced countries to take sides, and it has raised concerns about the future of international relations.
Russia-Ukraine War Impact on Global Trade
One of the most significant concerns about the Russia-Ukraine War was its potential to negatively impact trade. When sanctions were imposed on Russia, it was feared the move would shake the world trade arena and destabilize many countries.
In fact, the World Trade Organization (WTO) had its growth rate focus at just 3% for 2022, attributing such a low rate to the inevitable war impact on exports. The organization cited wheat and fuels as commodities whose market was bound to be negatively impacted.
However, according to the WTO’s Chief Economist, Ralph Ossa, global trade has held up well so far; better than anticipated.
WTO’s latest analysis shows that despite the challenges the war has elicited, even the economies directly affected have their heads above water.
Ossa presented the organization’s findings on the war’s impact on trade, highlighting that the disruptions caused by the conflict have not had as severe an effect on global trade as initially feared. Global trade, according to WTO, has remained stable despite global sanctions against Russia.
Conventional Mode of War is Here to Stay
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also shown it is not going to be easy to eradicate the use of conventional war armaments even with increasing focus on electronic and cyber technology. In the war between Russia and Ukraine, both countries have found strength in the use of conventional guns, tanks, and shields, and they have looked upon their allies for more supplies.
Conventional military forces have been at the forefront, with both sides deploying troops, tanks, and artillery. Hence, this war serves to show that the threat of conventional warfare has not diminished in the modern era.
Russia-Ukraine War’s Humanitarian Crisis & Cyber Attacks
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine War has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and there have been reports of human rights abuses on both sides. The conflict has put a significant strain on Ukraine’s resources, and the arrival of international aid has not been as fast or adequate as required.
There is also the issue of cyber warfare that has been inspired by the strife between the Russian government and that of Ukraine. Even as conventional war continues on the streets and fields of Ukraine, supporters of both countries have begun to use the cyber arena to attack their opponents.
Cyber security experts reckon cyber attacks against Ukraine have trebled over the last twelve months, with Russian hackers timing their attacks to correspond to physical missile strikes.
Among the attacks highlighted by Viktor Zhora, a Ukrainian security expert on his visit to UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, or NCSC, in January 2023, include the use of malware to completely destroy or erase disks.
While meeting Zhora in London, UK minister for security Tom Tugendhat, expressed his disgust for Russia’s behavior, saying the barbarism of the Russian government transcends the battlefied. According to Tugendhat, Russia has continued to direct attacks at civilians as well, purposely to inflict terror on them. Ukraine and the UK have been working together to see how best to mitigate Russia’s cyber-security threats, even as they try to make Ukraine’s ground defense stronger.
Russia-Ukraine War Tests Alliances and Reveals Resilience
When Russian forces under President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the intention was to split the West and weaken NATO. But did that happen?
In reality, Putin’s provocation has had the opposite effect, with NATO becoming more re-invigorated. Even countries that had not been enthusiastic about accommodating newcomers quickly relaxed their stance and became more welcoming to countries in the neighborhood of Russia.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has also had the effect of testing national alliances, and for most part, these have been strengthened. Europe has spoken in a common voice against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK and the US have forged a strong front in equipping the Ukraine forces better and trying to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.
NATO, the military alliance set up to counter the Soviet Union, has a renewed sense of purpose, and now has two new aspiring members in Finland and Sweden. These two countries abandoned decades of nonalignment as they requested to join NATO. For them, being under the NATO umbrella guarantees them protection against Russia.
The conflict in Ukraine has tested the strength of national alliances and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between countries. The actions of Putin and Russian forces have brought together countries that were once divided, demonstrating the power of unity in the face of aggression.
Russia’s Pariah Status
Russia has become a pariah on the global stage as a result of the conflict. The country has been criticized for its actions, and many peace-loving countries have cut diplomatic ties with the Russian government.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted the growing divide between Russia and the rest of the world, and it has raised concerns about Putin’s intentions.
For now, it remains to be seen what trajectory the continuing war takes, as the West continues to encourage and support Ukraine. The different forms of support Ukraine has received over the past year has boosted the spirit of Volodymr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, his military forces, and the entire Ukrainian citizenry.
Meanwhile, peace loving peoples of the world can only hope that Xi Jinping, the president of China, can change the mind of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, so that Putin can soon accept to end this war that he initiated a year ago.