Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 will mark the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been rising since 2014 after Ukraine’s rebellion, but conflict came to a head when Russian troops invaded.
At least 42,295 Ukrainian people have died, with tens of thousands more having sustained injuries. Millions have been displaced with property damage remaining a pressing issue.
On Monday, Feb.20, President Joe Biden went to Ukraine, telling citizens, “I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about U.S. support for Ukraine in the war.”
“It’s not just about freedom in Ukraine,” he said. “It’s about freedom of democracy at large.”
So far, the U.S. has given Ukraine $30.1 billion in assistance and 31 tanks to help them defeat the Russians.
Sasha Skiba was born in Andrijevici, Ukraine, and moved to the U.S. to pursue his PhD at Purdue University. He came to teach economics at the University of Wyoming in 2008, where he now serves as the department’s chair.
Despite living in Wyoming for several years, Skiba still has family in Ukraine and thus a deeply personal connection to the conflict.
“To Ukrainians: Thank you. Thank you to armed forces of Ukraine for making the ultimate sacrifice every day for the future of others, others in Ukraine and everywhere,” he said.
“I feel grateful because it saves lives and it makes future unprovoked attacks less likely. Ukrainians do not ask others to fight for them but they need weapons and supplies,” he added. .
“The world owes it to Ukraine big time because Ukraine lost the weapons and supplies because Russia took away Ukraines’ ability to defend itself over the years as the world stood by.”
Other counties, such as Australia and Canada, have also donated money and weapons, but the U.S. remains the top supporter.
“Thank you for those who helped, those who donated, raised awareness, went to Ukraine to volunteer, brought wounded soldiers for treatment, supported supplies of military help to Ukraine, trained Ukrainian soldiers,” Skiba said.
“The war is not over. Russian soldiers are on Ukrainian soil. Russia will keep killing civilians for as long as they can, they have shown their true colors and these are not hypotheticals. Any break, and pause, will be used to regroup and strengthen and come back with more death to Ukrainians.”
“They need to be stopped. When there is talk about peace, ask the Ukrainians what they want. And please keep helping Ukrainians defend themselves,” Skiba said.
