Issue 5/2022: Loss and Division

On how Ukraine’s suffering goes well beyond the front line. The latest issue of New Eastern Europe is now available

October 3, 2022 - New Eastern Europe - Issue 5 2022Magazine

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September marked six months since Russia’s unprovoked invasion against Ukraine began. The Ukrainian defence, even though initially doubted by some, remains admirable. We often hear that had the Ukrainians showed less courage and determination, the western assistance, especially in terms of military equipment, would not have been offered to the extent that it has.

Yet, even though the quality and size of the equipment that the Ukrainian army has received is impressive and effectively used, it is also clear that it may not be enough as the aggression is far from over. The destruction continues.

In August, the Kyiv School of Economics estimated that the war has cost Ukraine 103.8 billion US dollars thus far. This is not to mention the human loss, cultural capital and agriculture. The authors of this issue address all of these topics, presenting the perspective from inside Ukraine. We publish them with an aim to encourage you to start thinking about Ukraine’s future and one key challenge it will face – overcoming this enormous loss. Certainly, the war will end one day and it is our deep conviction that Ukraine will come out victorious and territorially integrated.

Yet, the reconstruction to follow will take years and the cost will be massive, especially since the Ukrainian government has promised that it will do its best to “rebuild better than before”. To make that happen the international community needs to get involved and willing to share in the costs. That is why we fully agree with the proposal presented in this issue to offer Ukraine debt relief, just as Germany received it after the Second World War and Poland – partially – after the fall of communism. We hope that such thinking, with a long-term perspective in mind, will prevail and adequate efforts will be made so that security and democracy become deeply rooted in the region.

In addition to discussing the current situation in Ukraine, we also tackle the topic of the long-term perspective of Germany’s reunification in 1991. It is worth revisiting this historic event from various viewpoints, understanding that while it should be consider a success, lessons should still be drawn. And the future developments in Europe are still being shaped by Germany’s reunification.

Table of Contents

Division and Loss

Ukraine’s suffering goes beyond the front line Oksana Forostyna

What the Russian invasion has cost Ukraine Lee Reaney

How Russia’s war estranged us, probably forever Iryna Matviyishyn

Revisiting the original loss. Crimea Maksym Popovych

Visualising the stories of war Masha Vushedsky

The bees of war Alisa Koverda

History lost. How Vladimir Putin’s historical conceptions led to the invasion of Ukraine Joshua R. Kroeker

Why Ukraine needs debt forgiveness Dorota Kolarska and Magdalena Milenkovska

The tragedy for Belarus and Ukraine Pavel Latushka

Can Georgia get back on track? Beka Chedia