Ukraine, the second-largest country by area in Eastern Europe is embroiled in a state of invasion by its neighbor Russia. Ukrainian officials are preparing for an assault on the capital, Kyiv, as the full-scale attack enters its second day. The President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 people have been killed so far, including civilians. About 100,000 Ukrainians have been displaced, with thousands fleeing to nearby European states.
Russia borders to the east and north east. Ukraine also shares borders with Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the south; and has a coastline along the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
With a population of 43.6 million it becomes the eighth-most populous country in Europe. The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. During the middle ages, the area was a key centre of East Slavic culture. Following its fragmentation into several principalities in the 13th century and the devastation created by the Mongol invasion, the territorial unity collapsed and the area was contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of powers, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Tsardom of Russia. A Cossack Hetmanate emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its territory was eventually split between Poland and the Russian Empire. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, a Ukrainian national movement for self-determination emerged, and the internationally recognized Ukrainian People’s Republic was declared on 23 June 1917. The Ukrainian SSR was a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922. The country regained its independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Whilst the world is bracing for WW3, here’s why a free democratic Ukraine matters to the Commonwealth.
Ukraine is blessed with a host of natural wealth.
1st in Europe to have Uranium, titanium, manganese ores. 2nd largest in the world owning 30 billion tons of iron ore and mercury ore reserves. Further owns 22 trillion cubic meters of shale gas and 33.9 billion tons of coal reserves.
It is the 1st European country in terms arable land with 25% of the worlds volume of black soil. It is the number one country in the world to export sunflower oil. 2nd in the world to barley production. Also a top player in exporting wheat and corn. It also produces potatoes and rye.
In short Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.
In the industrial field it produces ammonia. Has Europe’s 2nd and the World’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system. Is the 3rd largest in Europe in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants. It boasts of 21,700 km of rail network making it the 3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world. It exports iron and the 4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world. It is also the world’s 4th largest manufacture of rocket launchers. Exporter of defense industry products. A Large steel producer in the world with 32.4 trillion tons produced.
With such an abundance of wealth and its contribution to the world, it would be a disgrace to see the country in ruin. Stopping its destruction would serve to free itself back to independence. The rest of the world cannot sit and wait by the side seeing it fall into a deep crisis. Action must be taken to stop this atrocity. No independence should be compromised for selfish gain.
Ukraine matters. That is why its independence is important to the rest of the world.
