As a Russian-American, it pains me to see the Western World’s disregard for foreign conflicts. We read the words, “Russia and Ukraine” and simply carry on with our lives because we feel as if it is not our problem. We have developed international ignorance, apathetic attitudes and categorize the situation between Russia and Ukraine as just another catastrophe the world has recently undergone. However, this war still remains a major conflict, and I am affected. Why? Because I happen to have family on both sides of the situation: Russia and Ukraine. One family member was able to supply me with background information regarding the conflict between these two countries. My source chooses to remain anonymous, simply because speaking about certain specifics and people involved could result in further consequences. My source does not wish to favor, nor threaten either side, but chooses to state facts, many of which have become distorted by media presented to America, Russia, and Ukraine. This is what I have learned:

Ukraine is still considered a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of Armenia, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. However, Ukraine wants to leave and become part of NATO. While planning to leave, the previous President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, ordered the country to remain apart of the Commonwealth to avoid joining NATO. This resulted in the citizens of Ukraine protesting and deciding to create parties against the President because of his decision. “Students from universities protested and slept in the streets, so the President had no choice but to send in forces, leading to a war between the government and citizens of Ukraine,” stated the source.

So where does Russia come into this?

Russia realized that Ukraine was keeping some of their nuclear physics and rocketry secret. In other words, they would be in jeopardy if Ukraine leaked this confidential information. The source explained, “Russia did not want NATO to receive these secrets from Ukraine. Russia sent forces in Ukraine to aid the Ukrainian government because Ukraine wanted to stay in the Commonwealth.” Russia was also trying to capture cities in Ukraine, but they didn’t succeed, so they captured Crimea. In the midst of all this tension between Russia and Ukraine, America was helping citizens of Ukraine by sending resources and military ships to the Black Sea. America feared a potential war with Russia, so we stopped getting involved. The citizens were able to implement a new government in Ukraine by inevitably overthrowing the old government. Thus, more conflict arose between the citizens, the new government and Russia. As of now, and for all we know, the war has ended. However, following the revolution, “Ukrainians destroyed all Communist era influences in Ukraine such as statues of Lenin and Stalin.”

The information presented also comes from members close to my source who are living in Ukraine. The story changes based on which country is telling it.

“It’s like an iron wall,” the source exclaimed. “Russia is having another revolution.” Even after reading this, most will cling to indifference over accepting a transformed mindset. Yet, there always remains the question: What country will be the next target? "In reality, there is not only one country in danger, it’s the whole world."