Recently, the elections in Ukraine were swept by a new face in politics, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Known for his career as a political satirist, Zelenskiy comes from an unconventional background with no previous political experience. The Servant of the People party, a relatively novel political entity, is proud to call him one of their own.
Ukraine’s Ongoing Confrontation with Russia
Ukraine has been embroiled in a conflict with its eastern neighbor, Russia, over the occupation of the Crimean peninsula. The occupation followed a Russian military intervention in the region in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. This phase resulted in widespread unrest across southern and eastern Ukraine. Further tensions arose when Russia arrested 24 Ukrainian naval officers at the Kerch Strait last year for alleged border violations. Additionally, Ukraine’s attempted membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union could potentially exacerbate these tensions due to anticipated opposition from Russia.
The Euromaidan Movement
The Euromaidan movement began in November 2013, bringing about a series of demonstrations and episodes of civil unrest across Ukraine. The movement originated with public protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The East Ukraine Separatist Movement
The Donbass region, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, has been experiencing a pro-Russian separatist movement since 2014. The Ukrainian government alleges that the Russian government and paramilitaries support this movement, accounting for between 15% to 80% of the separatist forces.
Normandy Format
To resolve the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, a diplomatic group called the Normandy Format was established. This group consists of senior representatives from four countries: Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and France.
| Year | Action | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Ouster of President Petro Poroshenko | President ousted due to corruption. Transparency International places Ukraine at 120 among 188 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index |
| 2018 | International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid package | IMF lends US$3.9 billion to help recover from economic downturn. Further assistance depends on key reforms and anti-corruption measures. |
Corruption and Economic Crisis
Corruption was one of the primary reasons for the ouster of former president, Petro Poroshenko. Despite this, Ukraine remains low in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 120 out of 188 countries. The newly elected president, Zelenskiy, has made promises to implement measures against corruption. Economically, Ukraine is still bouncing back from a drastic decline following the 2014 unrest. Despite receiving a US$3.9 billion aid package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December 2018, the nation’s gross domestic product remains significantly below its 2013 level. The provision of further IMF assistance is contingent on Ukraine undertaking key reforms and stamping out corruption.
India-Ukraine Relations
Relations between India and Ukraine can be traced back to December 1991 when the Government of India recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent country following the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Embassy of India in Kyiv was subsequently established in May 1992, and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993. The two countries maintain warm relations and cooperate on various fronts including culture, arts, education, mutual legal assistance, and outer space cooperation.
Defense Relations Between India and Ukraine
India and Ukraine share significant defense cooperation. Since India’s independence, Ukraine has been a significant source of military technology and equipment. Indian companies are partnering with Ukrainian firms in this area. In particular, India relies on Ukraine’s military-industrial complex for the modernization and maintenance of its air force.
The Indian Community in Ukraine
The number of Indians residing in Ukraine is sizeable. Excluding students, the community is estimated to be approximately two thousand. There are over 8,000 Indian students currently enrolled in various medical and technical universities across Ukraine.
