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Why Russia's Invasion of Ukraine? Why? Okabe-san answers everyone's questions, Part 2

Why Russia's Invasion of Ukraine? Why? Okabe-san answers everyone's questions, Part 2

The war in which Russia invaded its western neighbor, Ukraine, in February 2022, still has no end in sight. Gakken Kids Net published an article about this war and asked for your questions and concerns. This is the second installment of the series, in which we asked Ukrainian studies expert Yoshihiko Okabe to answer the questions submitted by our readers.

*Answers are based on our understanding as of October 24, 2022.
*Not all questions have been answered.
*Questions with similar content are answered together.

For a detailed article on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, click here.

Okabe-san's answer to your question #1

Is there any gain for the Russian side? (Kocha, 6th grader, Kanagawa)

The lesson of this year's conference is that wars do not happen just for profit and loss. Remember, too, that wars also occur when leaders believe in a biased view of history or when it is only for the sake of national prestige.

Why is the Ukrainian military not getting back at Russia's territory?
(Kan-chan, 2nd year junior high school student, Fukushima)

Currently, Ukraine still has its own territory under Russian attack. Ukraine is on the receiving end of the invasion and did not originally want to go to war. On the other hand, it also found it very difficult to use military force to repel the invading enemy, because its own territory would be the battlefield, and civilian casualties would be heavy. If we attack Russia, there is a fear that it will use this as an excuse to use nuclear weapons, so we are in a situation where we cannot aggressively attack.

Can Ukraine eventually join NATO?
(Zelensky, junior high school student, Ehime, Japan)

In fact, until this war started, Ukraine's NATO membership was a dream come true, and I personally thought it would be at least 10 years away, maybe even 20 years or so. As for the European Union (EU), Ukraine was admitted as a "candidate country" for membership in late June. In the past, it would have taken a considerable amount of time for this to happen, but this was in the background of support and cheerleading for Ukraine in relation to the current war. When history moves, it can be triggered by wars and major events, so anything can happen regarding Ukraine's NATO membership.

I don't see much Ukraine news now. Why is that?
(Inari, 5th grade elementary school student, Hyogo)

Japan's and the world's Mass media is rapidly becoming bored with the topic. From. Also because the media is aware of what the audience wants to see, You could say viewers are "bored." I am sure you will.

Where is the information originating from Russia or from Ukraine? Is it accurate? (Keita Fuchiwaki, 6th grade, Kagoshima)

Since it is a war, both sides are waging an information war. However, Russia's information warfare is conducted in a way that hides the truth from the public, while Ukraine's is more of a method that appeals to the world with an open attitude.

Since the beginning of the war, we have not heard any news about the persecution of Russian residents in Ukraine, except for propaganda on the Russian side. Why is this?
(Kento, junior high school student, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Because it's a lie: In the early days of the East Ukrainian conflict in 2014, many Western and Japanese journalists were able to cover the Russian side of the conflict, but even then, none of them were able to capture the scenes of genocide and massive persecution.

Will Japan ever participate in this war?
(Okamoto, 4th grade elementary school student, Osaka)

as a matter of fact Japan Designated as "Unfriendly Country" by Russia The two countries are at war with each other, and this can be seen as one step closer to a state of war. In addition, since no peace treaty has been concluded between Japan and Russia since World War II due to the Northern Territories issue Be aware that they are not true partners. Please.

When Russia invades Japan, will Japan fight back?
(Minto, 6th grade elementary school student, Osaka, Japan)

After World War II, Japan adopted the policy of "exclusive defense," meaning that it would defend itself in the event of an attack on its own territory. In fact, the Ukraine is now playing "defense-in-depth." It is. We have learned through this war that it is very difficult to exclusively defend ourselves while sacrificing our own towns and citizens.

Is nuclear deterrence the ability to do whatever you want as long as you have nuclear weapons?
(Kan-chan, junior high school student, Fukushima)

Good question. Originally, the major powers that possess nuclear weapons were required to act prudently with each other in order not to use them, hence the term nuclear deterrence. This time, however, Russia seems to have taken the opposite approach and believes that no country will be able to take a strong stance against them with nuclear weapons.

Why do people fight and not use the art of discussion? (Kveit, other, Kanagawa, Japan)

This is a very important and weighty question. I believe that the first step toward eliminating futile conflicts is to keep thinking about why conflicts do not disappear.

I think that Ukraine is active in China's One Belt, One Road policy and Russia invaded Ukraine because it wanted to protect its interest in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Do you think that Russia and China have an alliance? (J, junior high school student, Hokkaido)

This is a very interesting perspective. It is true that Ukraine has been moving closer to China recently, and I suspect that this is one of the reasons why China has not sided with Russia on the surface, even after the war started on February 24. I don't think railroad interests have anything to do with it, As for whether Russia and China can be called allies, NO. It is. This was acknowledged by President Putin at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, President Putin thanked China for its "neutrality," but conversely, the statement implicitly acknowledged that China is not actively supporting Russia It can also be said that the world is quite a bit more complicated than we think. The world is considerably more complex than we think.

bonus

I would like to know about Okabe-san's passion for fashion. (Yuko (...omega...no, others, Gunma)

I really want to introduce the charm of Ukraine, "a cheerful, bright, and delicious country", not about the war, but unfortunately I don't have the opportunity to do so, so I try to wear something that represents Ukraine, such as the vysivanka, the national costume of Ukraine, or something else. I try to wear something that represents Ukraine, such as a tie with a Crimean Tatar pattern or a plucked sunflower, Ukraine's symbolic flower.

PAGETOP