The Never-Ending Conflict in Ukraine
”A Look at 2024 and Beyond from far east”
The war in Ukraine is still dragging on as we head into 2024. Honestly, no matter who’s in power, it doesn’t look like this conflict will end anytime soon. President Zelenskyy might hint at compromises over territory, but it’s clear that’s not what President Putin ultimately wants. His endgame seems to be something much bigger — turning Ukraine into a Russian puppet state.
Let me tell you why I personally support Ukraine. Ideally, I’d prefer to see NATO and the U.S. stay out of direct involvement, with Ukraine managing to push back Russia with the help of military support. But the reality? It feels like a race between Russia bleeding out economically and Ukraine losing its will to fight. Neither option is pretty.
During my university days, I studied in Uzbekistan, a country with its own Soviet history. I remember asking my professor there, “What defines you as Uzbekistan?” His reaction? Total silence. It’s a tough question. How do you define a country with a mix of ethnicities and historical complexities? For Ukraine, it’s a similar challenge.
Sure, Ukraine isn’t blameless — they once sold an aircraft carrier to China as a “casino ship,” after all. But that doesn’t mean Russia’s claims over Ukraine hold water. The historical ties between the Kyivan Rus and the Moscow Principality are ancient history. By that logic, does Britain get to reclaim all its former colonies? Obviously not.
Finally, from a U.S. perspective, supporting Ukraine makes sense. If America pulls out now, allies like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea might lose trust in their strongest partner. Once that credibility is gone, it’s a slippery slope. America’s economic power is deeply tied to its military strength and global influence. Losing that isn’t an option.
