UKRAINE CASE STUDY where sovereignty is challenged

Question 1

why Ukraine??

Answer 1

• no longer part of the. USSR + not part of EU => less secure
• gateway entry to purpose for Russia/ geographical position
• falling GDP per capita
• did nothing actively against to stop invasion

Question 2

ethnic/linguistic differences

Answer 2

• 77.8% ethnically Ukrainian + 17.3% ethnic Russian (E+W division)
• Ukraine try to overthrow Yankovich=> govt. unable to protect citizens
• feb 2014 pro-eu try to ban Russian language -> undermine ethnic Russians => increase cultural + political gap

Question 3

political instability/weak govt

Answer 3

• internal political division = INABILITY TO BUILD A COMMON NATIONAL IDENTITY + develop state mechanism
• criminal/corrupt activity -> human rights issues
• Yankovic govt. fails to sign EU deal on agreement on trade co-operation => protests and riots by pro-EU
• 2013 civil unrest -> hard economy to recover

Question 4

military action

Answer 4

• military conflict in Donbas region - separatist groups in Donetsk + Lugansk
• Russian parliament allowed Putin to use Russian forces across borders = break international law, contributing to eroding concepts of WM

Question 5

impacts on people

Answer 5

1. 1.47/5.2m in DONETSK and Lugansk region are IDPs fled from their homes
2. evacuees -> summer camps/sanateroiums little access to income/food/healthcare and shelter
3. 7000 deaths, 139000 injured
4. Town of Debalteve bombed including a major rail link for trade and goods from Russia -> decrease economic market
   -> also damage to livelihood/connections and famine

Question 6

impacts on place

Answer 6

1. heavy fighting and rockets to Ukraine military HQ
2. industrial + residential areas suffer loss of power, water supply, gas => damage to industrial plant -> environmental impacts as toxic chemicals released
3. movement of heavy vehicles damages nature reserves/ increased forest fires
4. NATO increase strength in vulnerable former soviet states on the baltic
5. economic sanctions by EU + USA -> drop in value of rouble => currency buys less -> decrease GNI