Writes, Dionysus, Content Writer, Headline Diplomat eMagazine
After Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the war has spiraled into one of the biggest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Not only has the war gone on for more than two weeks, but the continuous shelling of the country’s cities and towns has led to more than 500 civilian deaths, wrecked civilian infrastructure, and forced over 10 million people to flee Ukraine; thus, creating a huge humanitarian crisis in Europe.
If the war is not stopped soon, things will become even worse. At the moment, the colossal influx of refugees into neighboring countries has exceeded expectations. And since Russian’s first tactics were not working, they have increased aggression and the Ukrainian people are paying a higher cost. It has forced Ukrainian civilians to take up arms and fight.
Despite the US and its western allies imposing unprecedented sanctions in response to Vladimir Putin’s aggression, Putin shows no sign of downing his troops or slowing down. In fact, Putin is warning other countries not to get involved, of face the consequences.
The Russian invasion has the prospective to set up a battle of nuclear superpowers. What’s more, the war is destabilising the region and terrorizing innocent Ukrainian citizens. It could also impact gas prices, inflation, and the global economy.
The longer and tougher the Ukrainian resistance fights, the more likely Russia may apply more violent tactics to try to attain their goals. Sara Bjerg Moller, an assistant professor of international security at Seton Hall University, said,” This is what we would call a war of attrition. They are trying to grind down the Ukrainian people’s morale, and unfortunately, that includes the bodies of Ukrainians.”
Why it’s important to stop the Ukrainian war
It is important to stop the Ukrainian war now rather than later when the damage is out of hand. Even though the situation remains highly fluid and the outcome is subject to uncertainty, the economic consequences are already weighty. Things like energy and commodity prices, including wheat and other grains have surged, increasing inflationary pressures from supply chain disruptions and the rebound from the coronavirus prevalent.
Additionally, countries that rely on the region’s rich supply of energy, nickel, wheat, and other staples could feel the pain of price spikes. The global economy is also assured to be sent on yet another unpredictable course. And as usual, the burden will fall heaviest on the most vulnerable. Ian Goldin, a professor of globalization and development at Oxford University, said, “Poorer people spend a higher share of incomes on food and heat.”
Ukraine, which is popularly referred to as the “breadbasket of Europe,” actually exports more than 40 percent of its corn and wheat to Africa and the Middle East, where they are huge tensions that further food shortages and price hikes could cause social unrest. For instance, Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in more than a century as it receives more than half of its wheat from Ukraine.
Aside from economic crisis, the war has also affected people’s well-being, health, and lead to death. According to the United Nations, at least 549 civilians have been killed, 41 of whom were children. Furthermore, at least 957 civilians have been injured. “Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missiles and rockets,” said the office of the U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
However, if the war doesn’t end, it will do more harm as war affects people’s health beyond bullets and bombs. Not all deaths are combat-related, but the outcome of the wider effects of conflict on public health – impacts that stay put after the war has ceased. Therefore, the Ukrainian war will unquestionably bring with it fatal suffering and health consequences for the civilian population.
Prior to the Russian invasion on 24th February 2022, the eight-year-long conflict in eastern Ukraine forced 3 million people to seek humanitarian support. So, the earlier the Ukrainian-Russian war is stopped the better.
Final thoughts
The Ukrainian war may be far from over, but making all attempts to stop it will not only benefit the people of Ukraine and neighboring countries but the world at large. If the war continues, not only does it risk the escalation of gas and oil prices, but it has the potential to set up a collision of nuclear world powers.
So, the Ukrainian war should be stopped right now or the worst is yet to come! Stop Ukrainian war and restore peace.
