My Take By Darrell J. Gonzales March 22, 2014 What is the significance of the country of Ukraine and Crimean peninsula? Recently, there has been much attention to the country of Ukraine, and its peninsula these past few weeks after the Winter Olympics with the country of Russia. And many questions have arisen why the country of Russia is so interested in the area region. Basically this area has no real immediate military value other that it is based in the Black Sea, which of course was part of the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. This area then was home to many Russian sea ports which held submarines, destroyers and cruisers of the Soviet Union. Still today the history of the area is no doubt belonging to the former Soviet Union, but the past is still very much tied to the area, and most importantly the people there, as this area alone has its advantages and disadvantages as well, which I will attempt to explain or give analysis of its importance. As we all know and heard by now the Russian Government in threatening or massing troops along the Ukrainian border, which would suggest another invasion of the area by the Russian government. As it is the country of Russia has recently annexed the Crimean Peninsula with the area regional government voting to align itself with Russia and its forces. Now World leaders, including the United States are crying fowl to the over bearing force of the Russian Government; particularly Vladimir Putin President of Russia. In turn, the United States, as well as the country of Eastern Ukraine is saying this is a blatant and unruly invasion, or breach of peace with its sovereignty; A clear violation of its country’s constitution and a clear disregard for its government. Now really there are perhaps two main reasons of the importance of the area: 1) military Strategic standing and 2) more or less strictly business or economic standing. And simply putting the military standing is more or less, in my opinion, not as major as one might think? And here is why? First the area is in the Black Sea region which harbors some area footing in the military arsenal of the Russian fleet—the City of Sochi Russia is still part of the main port for Russian forces, but to extend its arms elsewhere along the Black Sea is not much of real big significance. Out of the top ten biggest cities in the area along the Black Sea, the city of Istanbul Turkey is still the biggest city in the area, but the Ukrainian city of Odessa is the second largest port city in the Black Sea with over a million people population. In fact, out of the most populated cities along the Black Sea there are four Russian Cities or current Russian Cities which are particular important to the Soviet Union. These are the cities of Odessa, Sevastopol, Sochi, and Novorossiysk. In order of Population the cities have respectfully 1 million, 379,000, 343,000, and 241,000 thousand inhabitants around the Black Sea. So as the second biggest port city, the city of Odessa, of course belongs to the country of Ukraine, and its current form of government, which rules as a Democratic form of government and elected leadership. So now the military strategy changes over to what the country of Russia wants or needs? And for that you must consider the economic aspects or largely bigger incomes at looking at things. Such as, what does the country of Ukraine have that the Country of Russia wants or needs for future development? And for that question you must explore the history of the country itself. We know that the country of Ukraine has over 17 Natural Gas fields around the country with a large array of Oil Pipelines running North and North East coming from Russia. But noticed that I mention the Oil Pipelines are coming from Russia? Yes! The country of Russia largely imports Oil to the country of Ukraine, which leaves the country of Ukraine wondering why it wants its land? The Russian government holds much of the control of the Oil and Gas industry and sells it to the country of Ukraine, but in turn wants more business, or at least what it looks like what it could be alleging to for future dealings. As it is the Country of Russia knows the country of Ukraine has exhausted most of its Oil and Natural Gas reserves, and has primarily turned to coal, Hydroelectricity, and Nuclear Fuel for alternative forms of energy. And in turn could lead to major business and GDP growth in the future for the country of Ukraine. The Country, as of recent business dealings has accrued GDP growth rates of 188 billion dollars in 2008, but has sky rocked to 335 billon dollars as of 2013. In 2008 it was the 45th biggest economy World Wide and now it is the 37th biggest economy World Wide 2013. 60% of Ukrainian exports go to the countries of the Soviet Union, its neighboring countries of Belarus, and Kazakhstan. But what is a lingering black eye or thorn in the side of the local government is the illegal Black Market Trade. It has been said too, that 40% of the economy of Ukraine is run this way. It is also been said that the country of Ukraine is the 6th largest arms dealer in the World. As it is some of the major industries for the country of Ukraine are coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, and food processing plants. It is also a major mineral producing country, based on reserves. Its primary exports are to the countries of the European Union, Russia, Turkey, and China. The European Union has over 27% of exports with Russia having over 24%; Turkey and China respectfully coming in at 6% and 4%. In all according the recent figures of 2012 they have exported over 70 billion dollars in goods to other countries, but what has made quite of bit of waves according to recent findings is the amount of Tech’ies around the country. They have the 4th largest IT educated personnel in the World, which highly suggest their brain power is extremely desirable and highly in demand. They can compete amongst the best in IT services anywhere across the World. So as it is the main reasoning in my opinion why the Russian Government wants control of the Country of Ukraine and the Crimea Peninsula is primarily from a business aspect. The Country of Russia has deemed it as a future hub city area region where big business can take place in the future with its people. And in turn can produce future and endless possibilities for infrastructure of the country of Russia. As it is also a highlight of the country of Ukraine as a rising start-up power of Agriculture. Amongst the European Union countries it is the largest producer of Sun Flower Oil, which is also known to be a leading by product for bio-fuels in alternative energy; again raising the question for future alternative fuels and being a leading hub area for business. So as you can see the military strategy of seeing things is probably not as much of a significant threat as one might expect, except in the eyes of staunch conservatives who are always against old foes of communism. As you know Republicans in Washington are always against any rule of forwarded aggression of any country trying to move ahead of the United States, but sometimes perhaps if the outcomes “let it play out” might be in the best interest for all. Though, with that said, most Eastern Ukrainians want to be apart of the European Union and its Western Ways. They have grown accustom to dealing with Westerners, and seen how capitalism thrives in major business aspects, and if they can ever resolve their personal petty differences and come to mutual agreements, they too will know what it like to apart of the big business World. That is if power does not transfer over to Russia? Though, at this time I would expect President Obama and others of the United Nations to continue political sanctions to those who violate Ukrainian government sovereignty. Anyone can clearly see that the country of Ukraine wants to move forward in business ventures, but the Russian government has other personal plans for its existence. But overall this is a battle for the United Nations to resolve peacefully and hopefully President Vladimir Putin will yield ground and allow the country of Ukraine to move forward? Sources: Wikipedia statistics
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:11:11 +0000
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