A History of Eastern Europe: Ukraine-Russia Crisis

Good day,

I just wanted to share this video, concerning the current crisis on Ukraine and Russia.  This video goes over some of the historical highlights that may have led up to the current conflict.  Some of those events, like a treaty signed in the 17th Century, or perhaps Stalin's terror-famine, as discussed in the documentary, are included.  

I took some notes from the video:

2014 Ukraine erupts into crisis.

- The Escape of Ukrainian President Yanukovych to Russia

- Crimea annexed

- Ceasefires signed and broken. (Before the ink had run dry)

The collapse of the Soviet Union was supposed to see widespread unrest in Ukraine.  Putin called Ukraine a failed state.  Ukraine wanted peaceful ties with both the west and Russia.  

The conflict extends over centuries, since 1654 with the treaty made by the Cossacks.  

Ukraine:

- Second largest nation in Europe.

- Breadbasket of Europe

- Flag: Blue over yellow gives emphasis to the country's flat terrain, and blue skies over amber waves of grain.

- The size of Texas with over 45 million people.

First the Mongols came.  There descendants were the Tartars.  Then, Poland-Lithuania.

Cossacks: Like the American Cowboy, famous for there horsemanship and fighting skills.  Ukrainians romanticize this era of there history, by including the Cossacks in there national anthem.  

   

Ukraine National Anthem

    In 1654 a Ukrainian warlord signed a treaty with Russia guaranteeing autonomy for the region.  

Instead the Cossacks ended up with another set of rulers.  A partition was signed between Russia and Poland-Lithuania.  Poland helped establish the Orthodox church of Ukraine, under the Catholic church, and Ukrainian nobles took after the manner of the Polish.  The partition was along the Nepa River.

    The partition was made mute however, in 1795.  In Russia the Ukrainians became known as "Little Russians", and the region was called "New Russia" by Catherine the Great.  In the West the Ukrainians became known as Ruthenes.  

    During the 1930s Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union brought a reign of terror, known as the "terror famine", and deported all of the Tartars.  Some in the Ukraine hoped that the Third Reich might help the fortunes of the Ukraine.  They were lead by Stephan Bandera.  Some of them participated in crimes against the Jews.  In 1944 the UPA, known as the Ukraine Insurgent Army.  They fought the Nazis, and the Soviets.  

    The World War II uprooted millions of Ukrainians.  They fled to the United States and Canada.  Also, borders shifted, as Poland shifted westward.  

    A book mentioned in the video, is known as A Short History Of Tractors In Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka is available on audio for anyone who wants to listen.

    After Joseph Stalin's brutal regime, in 1954 Gorbachev returned Crimea to Ukraine in accordance with the old treaty from 1654.  Protests were sparked by Chernobyl.  Ukraine voted for independence by a majority in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union.  The Orthodox church was revived, too.  However, a class of powerful Oligarchs arose.  A Journalist named Giorgi Gongadze was found dead.  Corruption began eating away at the confidence of the Ukrainians.  

    Ukraine became dependent on Russia for gas and oil.  In 1994 Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons in exchange for international assistance.  In 2004, ten years later, the Orange Revolution Occured led by economist and head of the central bank of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko.  He became president of Ukraine in 2005.  

    In 2010 a new Ukrainian President was elected.  He refused to sign an Association Agreement with The European Union (EU).  He also jailed his opposition.  In February 2014 Yanukovych fled into Russia.  At his mansion they uncovered all kinds of wealth.  A Grand Mansion:

- 350 acres

- Private zoo featuring exotic animals 

- Tennis Court

    His residence was declared property of the state.  It was to be used as a museum to show case the occupants greed.  There was some mystery loot: a loaf of bread made of gold.

In 2014 the Tartars were again concerned for there fate.  In 2015 Putin claimed to be the soul person responsible for annexation of Crimea.  

    In July 2014 H Flight 317 was shot down.  No investigation was allowed by pro-Russian backed rebels.  Pro-Russian and Pro-Ukraine protestors clashed and 42 were killed.  Mainly pro-Russian protestors.  A ceasefire was brokered but it was broken before the ink had dried.  

    In 2008 Putin told a startled George W. Bush that Ukraine is not really a country.  President of EU wanted a solution.  Putin claimed collapse of the Soviet Union was the most devastating event of the 20th Century.  There are continued echoes from the 1700s.  

Well, that is all of my notes.  I tried my best to organize them, and keep them short and sweet.  There was a lot to cover.

 

Russia Russia Russia

This is the Russia, Russia, Russia video I wrote about in my last post.  I wanted to share it here.  I just wanted to say, in his podcast, The 4th Reich he declares the current German Republic to be the 2nd Reich.  But that is incorrect.  The second Reich was actually known as The Holy Roman Empire established by Emperor Charlemagne, he was the only emperor crowned by the Pope.  That's the only point on which I disagreed with him though, in his podcast.  He listed his podcast in his YouTube channel information portion.  Enjoy!

Yesterday

 This was what I wrote yesterday.  I am sitting here at Taco Bell I ordered my meal, waiting for it to be completed.  It now comes in a bag.  Not on a tray.  I miss when it came on a tray.  Now, I have my food.  I am just waiting for my coffee.  This is the first time I have had Taco Bell Coffee.  Well, there is a first time for everything.  Afterward, I am going to Sonic to get a Sonic Blast and corn dogs.  

Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine is still going on.  In the meanwhile, wars in other places are going on- such as Ethiopia.  There, the Christians are involved in the conflict.  That's what Voice of the Martyrs had to say.  They asked for prayer for the Ethiopian Christians.  

I did it again.  I wrote about Stephanie.  I need to stop doing that.  Here is part of what I wrote "I miss Stephanie.  For twenty years of my life, I lived to meet Stephanie.  Stephanie and Persephone are two different people".  I think I finally impressed upon my friends and relatives how I feel about this.  About why it is important to me.  Forgiveness for one.  And the Truth.  That is why it is important to me.  A restoration of an old friendship.  

I just ordered two corn dogs (one for Dad, one for Max), and my Sonic Blast.  Afterward, I was listening to Studio 10 Broadcast.  By Michael Anthony.  I did this, while I enjoyed my Sonic Blast.  Meanwhile, I am listening to a video about the invasion of Ukraine, called Russia, Russia, Russia in which the broadcaster discusses why he thinks Russia is invading Ukraine, and how there is a heavy National Socialist influence in the nation of Ukraine.  Right now, he is discussing how Ukraine has 72 hours to surrender.  This is as of the 1st of March.  

Anyways, I have just been enjoying the day off.  I work again tomorrow.  Today I sent my time sheet to my supervisor.  Major Wani.  I also spoke with my counselor, Mrs. Vicki Walls, and her student counselor.  She wants me to discuss Ukraine with my Mom, so I am just getting some talking points.  I will share this video to my blog.  Hopefully, you will find it as informative as I did.  I have little, to zero knowledge of the Ukraine.  But for what it is worth, I think the Russians think they are doing us a favor.  Removing a nazi regime, and going to institute free and fair elections.  

Ukraine uses the Internet to help combat Russia, Here I shared a link to an article by The Washington Post.  In the article it discusses how the Ukraine is attempting to use the internet to thwart the Russian invasion.  Everything from posting, to making videos, it is very much an information warfare.  According to the article, the Ukrainians are countering the Russian tactic of infiltrating social media to bolster there opinion, and propaganda.  

Well, I hope you have a wonderful day.  Thank you for reading my post.