Ukraine War: Medvedko’s Perspective 

According to Professor Medvedko, Russia will not stop its “special military operation” in Ukraine until the Donbas region of Ukraine is fully controlled by Russia. Professor Medvedko’s argues that, from a historical perspective, Ukrainians and Russians have been one people for many centuries and thus, the reunification of Ukraine and Russia must ultimately occur. As to why Russia went into Ukraine in the first place, he argues that, “There was intelligence and information about upcoming Ukrainian aggression in Donbas and Crimea, as well as the possibility of Ukraine using nuclear weapons against Russia”.

Professor Medvedko expressed frustration with the coup d’état that occurred in 2014 (the overthrow of the democratically elected President). He stated that Russians have long inhabited the Donbas region and Ukraine’s genuine government did not recognize the legitimacy of the coup. Meanwhile the incoming government chose to unleash a war against that part of their country with the Ukrainian Air Force bombing Lugansk and Donetsk killing numerous individuals and justifying it by saying that they were killing separatists. He commented on how, “Many people who fought in Donbas received promotions and high posts in the government despite their participation in the conflict”. He estimated that Ukraine’s forces killed up to 14,000 people in the region.

He also said that Moscow has been calling on Kyiv for dialogue with regard to the Donbas for eight long years, but Ukraine’s government have declared Donbas’ population terrorists and have refused to implement the Minsk agreements which were a series of agreements that were created in order to halt the conflict that occurred in 2014.

He added that Ukraine is undergoing a wave of right-wing extremism (with the growing influence of the Azov brigade) that Western media is ignoring and choosing to focus on depicting Russia through a negative lens. He also stated that the younger generation is unaware as to these problems due to their consumption of Western media and therefore do not understand why the war continues. In his terms, the actions taken by the Russian state are logical while the actions taken by those in Kyiv are completely illogical.

Ukraine War: Sapozhnikova’s Perspective

Maria Sapozhnikova countered Medvedko’s rhetoric by stating that, “There are so many arguments really and yet at the end of the day, a sovereign country was invaded and people are dying in this country.” As a Russian, Maria was able to provide a perspective that is popular with many in the younger generation. She said that most Russians are now ashamed of being Russian and speaking the language due to the actions taken by their government in this war.

She added that she recognises that Putin and his government need to bring a win back to the country to stay in power. She indicated that what the Russian refuses to call a war and instead labels as a “special military operation”, is in fact a war and must be put to an end. Additionally, Sapozhnikova talked about how when discussing the Minsk agreement, we must focus on how it is an example of diplomacy and not of war.

Starting an invasion into another country breaks any legitimate rights that Russia had before and therefore, Russia must be held accountable for its actions. She also states that even if you forget the many lives lost on Ukraine’s side, the frontline fighters in the Russian force are volunteers with little to no prior experience in the military and have now become easy targets. Along with the numerous detrimental impacts on the economy and world hunger, she struggles to see the justification behind the war.

Ukraine War: NCF’s Perspective 

NCF holds the position that the conflict in Ukraine is detrimental to both sides, and something must be done to prevent Ukraine from turning into a long-drawn-out war that would result in further repercussions that would impact the international community. As the world still recovers from COVID-19, this conflict can and should be remedied immediately to promote peace and harmony instead of violence and anger.

It is for the benefit of all that this misery is put to an end.