UNA: Ukraine and the State of Affairs

Ukraine and the State of Affairs: A Conversation about Peace and Justice;
United Nations Association USA, Pasadena Chapter;
Armory Center for the Arts 
August 22, 2019 
Speaker:
Dr. Gregory Zabacz, Associate Provost and Director of the Center For Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific University
Presentation: Dr. Zabacz began with a historical overview (6th century to present day) of the Ukraine's Russification. Russification is the replacement of native Ukrainian language and culture with the Russian language and culture based on Russia’s belief that Ukraine is inherently a part of Russia. Presently, President Putin believes that Ukraine is covered in the Brezhnev doctrine, which states that Russia has the right to militarily intervene in the affairs of countries that were in the historical Soviet Union.
Gregory Zabacz explained the causes of the current conflict.  He first acknowledged three of the Ukrainian government’s past errors: 1) destroying all its nuclear weapons; 2) giving 80% of its navy to Russia; and 3) allowing the Russian navy bases in Ukraine. As a result of these errors, a weakened Ukrainian military and the elimination of their nuclear arsenal “invited” Russian aggression.   
Dr. Gregory Zabacz also pointed out that because of these errors, the Ukrainian military does not have the strength or resources to remove Russia from eastern Ukraine. In addition, because UN countries want to keep peace rather than fight Russia - a founding UN member - the Ukraine lacks global support. Recently, President Trump's administration gave the Ukrainian Army its first self defense weapons: 50 caliber rifles and anti-tank guns. These weapons have been effective at stopping the Russians but not removing them. 
Dr. Zabacz predicts that the war in easern Ukraine, which has been ongoing for the past four years, will continue with no foreseeable end in the near future. Of grave concern is a potential resolution entailing the divide of the Ukraine, an outcome which would be devastating given Ukraine’s long struggle toward unification. Heightened awareness, transparency, and a goal toward peaceful unification are critical. 

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