1. General
1.1 Background
The Russian invasion of Ukraine started on 24 Feb 2022 and has entered into its fourth week. During the USSR regime Ukraine possessed a huge nuclear arsenal but this capability was stripped off under a UN sponsored agreement at the behest of the USA, the European Union and NATO. Russia considers the western dominated Ukraine as one of the biggest threats to its national security and because of this Russia will never allow Ukraine to become a member of NATO and permit concentration of their military power on its border. Ukraine had recently taken certain steps in favour of strengthening its ties and becoming a NATO member. Since this situation was not at all acceptable to Russia it warned Ukraine to avoid taking any hostile action which could jeopardize Russia’s security. In the absence of any positive response from Ukraine, Russia invaded its neighbour. So far, the following causalities have been reported:
● Siege of Kyiv, Capital city of Ukraine
● Death toll – 16,000
● 1.7 thousand buildings reduced to rubble
● Non-fatal injuries 1.9 thousand
● Persons displaced – 3.3 million
● Property damaged – worth approx. 119 billion US dollars
1.2 Interference in Ukraine
Russia has always demanded that Ukraine remain neutral and that it should not become a member of NATO. Also that USA, NATO and western countries should not provide military support to Ukraine.
2. Geopolitical and geotrategeic significance
2.1 Five rounds of talks have taken place between the delegates of Russia and Ukraine since the invasion and the momentum of war has been reduced only a bit now; in this Turkey has played an important role in reducing the tension. The fact of matter is that Ukraine enjoys an immense geostrategic and geopolitical position and this situation is especially significant for the western block in case it wants to contain Russia. On the other hand, Russia will never permit the west to avail of such an opportunity at any cost. This is the leading cause of the Russian invasion. An important question arises as to why should the war be encouraged and sponsored by others against Russia. This conflict, if not stopped soon, may well end up triggering World War III.
Resource Potential of Ukraine
Ukraine enjoys an unparalleled resource potential in the region as given below:
2.2.1 First in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ore
2.2.2 The second in Europe and tenth in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves
2.2.3 The second in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ore (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world’s reserves)
2.2.4 It has the second largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons)
2.2.5 It stands in the second place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves
2.2.6 Third in Europe (13th in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
2.2.7 Fourth in the world by the total value of natural resources
2.2.8 Seventh in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)
2.2.9 Ukraine is an agricultural country
2.2.10 First in Europe in terms of arable land area
2.2.11 Third in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world’s volume)
2.2.12 First in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil
2.2.13 Second in the world in production of barley and Fourth in barley exports
2.2.14 Third largest producer and Fourth largest exporter of corn in the world
2.2.15 Fourth largest producer of potatoes in the world
2.2.16 Fifth largest rye producer in the world
2.2.17 Fifth place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons)
2.2.18 Eight in the world in wheat exports
2.2.19 Ninth in the world in the production of chicken eggs
2.2.20 Sixteenth in the world in cheese exports
2.2.21 Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people
2.2.22 Ukraine is an industrialized country
2.2.23 First in Europe in ammonia production
2.2.24 Fourth largest natural gas pipeline system in the world (142.5 billion cubic meters of gas throughput capacity in the EU)
2.2.25 Third largest in Europe and Eighth largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants
2.2.26 Third in Europe and Eleventh in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km)
2.2.27 Third in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment
2.2.28 Third largest iron exporter in the world
2.2.29 Fourth largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world
2.2.30 Fourth largest manufacturer of rocket launchers
2.2.31 Fourth in the world in clay exports
2.2.32 Fourth in the world in titanium exports
2.2.33 Eighth in the world in exports of ores and concentrates
2.2.34 Ninth in the world in exports of defence industry products
2.2.35 Tenth largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons)
Source: (Internet: Collected from Kevin Collins)
3. Causes of war
Some common causes for eruption of armed conflicts are given as under:
3.1 Geographical intrusions
3.2 Promotion of an Ideology
3.3 Political Motives
3.4 Regional Hegemony
3.5 Grabbing of the opponent’s resources
3.6 Proliferation of dictatorial ideologies
3.7 Self Projection
3.8 Global Proxy
3.9 Expanding own territory
3.10 Protection of Other’s Rights
3.11 Heinous motives of superpowers and their blocks
Adverse impacts OF WAR
War has always been terrible, tragic and destructive and has never been the solution of most conflicts. A few adverse impacts are mentioned below:
4.1 Destruction of physical environment like water, land, air and geology
4.2 Adverse impacts on social, cultural, economic, heritage, archaeological, religious, corporate and political environments.
4.3 Degradation of biological environment like killing of plants and animals
4.4 Damage to life and property
4.5 Killing of non-combatants
4.6 Maltreatment and killing of children, women and the old
4.7 Violation of human fundamental rights
4.8 Denial of religious obligations
4.9 Violation of UN Charter, religious and other philosophies
4.10 Damage to businesses and jobs
4.11 Proliferation and spread of diseases for many decades
4.12 Creation of mental stresses, chaos and confusion among the oppressed in weaker nations.
The way forward
5.1 The United Nation (UN) must intervene to try and settle the issue between the two fighting countries; unfortunately, so far it appears that it is playing a biased role.
5.2 The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) must come forward and work for restoration of peace and harmony between the warring nations. Islam stands firmly for human and ethical values in the world.
5.3 Turkey should join OIC in increasing its potential and influence to try and stop the war. Turkey enjoys cordial relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
5.4 The UN should revisit its Charter and guidelines on war so that such ugly situations may not arise in the future.
5.5 Ukrainian refugees should be brought back to their country and resettled. Other countries like Poland might not be able to sustain them for months. Similarly Palestinian and other refugees from Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan & Kashmir must be honourably resettled in their respective countries.
5.6 The UN and the west should not impose undue sanctions against Russia. Russia is an important country with tremendous military and economic strength. If the crisis is allowed to develop further the time may not be far when other countries could come to the aid of Russia. The consequences of such an action could be terrible.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Global Voices
2. Google Search
3. Hussain, M., Environmental Degradation: Realities and Remedies, Ferozsons (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore (Pakistan), 1998
4. Hussain, M., Islam and Environment, Vol-I &Vol-II, The Environ Publications, Lahore (Pakistan), 2021
5. Informed Comments
6. National Geographic
7. The Environ Monitor
8. The Holy Qura’n
9. TV Channels (BBC, Al-Jazira, Pakistan TV etc.)
