For some time, I have purposefully resisted posting anything regarding Ukraine. Mostly due to the deep complexities, which I have been trying to get my head around, well, since I was 18yo.
The complexities of nationhood, of family, of politics, of history and belief. Belonging to the Ukrainian diaspora, today my heart aches and I am in much distress for family, for the tribes of people that make up the Ukrainian nation state, and humanity on the whole. A very bleak, bleak day.
If you are interested in decent reading on some of the history of Ukraine or on authoritarianism, Anne Applebaum is a good place to start. Her article here outlines the failure of the West’s imagination and diplomacy against Putin’s tyranny.
I took this photo for my parents on a more hopeful day last spring, as it reminded me of the Ukrainian flag:
Why Ukraine is so Important …
For those who ask:“Why does Ukraine matter? “
This is why Ukraine matters:
It is the second largest country by area in Europe by area and has a population of over 40 million – more than Poland.
Ukraine ranks:
1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores;
2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves;
2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world’s reserves);
2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons);
2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves;
3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
4th in the world by the total value of natural resources;
7th place in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)
I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022
Ukraine is an important agricultural country:
1st in Europe in terms of arable land area;
3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world’s volume);
1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil;
2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley exports;
3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world;
4th largest producer of potatoes in the world;
5th largest rye producer in the world;
5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons);
8th place in the world in wheat exports;
9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs;
16th place in the world in cheese exports.
Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.
Ukraine is an important industrialised country:
1st in Europe in ammonia production;
Europe’s 2nd’s and the world’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system;
3rd largest in Europe and 8th largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants;
3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km);
3rd place in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment;
3rd largest iron exporter in the world
4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world;
4th world’s largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;
4th place in the world in clay exports
4th place in the world in titanium exports
8th place in the world in exports of ores and concentrates;
9th place in the world in exports of defence industry products;
10th largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons).
Ukraine matters.
That is why its independence is important to the rest of the world.
By Vanessa Stasiw & Dorota Pudelek
If you are interested in Ukraine Being Invaded By Vladimir Putin’s Russia as War Crimes, decent reading on some of the history of Ukraine or on authoritarianism, Anne Applebaum is a good place to start:
https://www.theatlantic.com/
Many Russians don’t want this invasion:
