The Russo-Ukrainian war is one of Europe’s largest wars since World War II. Putin has long claimed that Ukraine belongs to Russia and that they are one people. However, Ukraine is a sovereign nation with its own language, culture, and political system. 

On February 21, 2022, Putin ordered his troops to Ukraine under the pretense of peace-keeping. Anti-war protests have broken out around the world, even in Russia, where the risk of arrest is considerable. At the same time, more and more neighboring nations have opened their borders as millions of Ukrainians attempt to flee and NATO’s response force has been activated for the first time in history. However, the international community is treading carefully in their response to Putin’s aggression. For one, Putin controls the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and has already threatened to use them. In addition, NATO has a mutual defense policy where if one country is attacked, then all the others have to respond. Thus, instead of direct military contact, many countries are imposing some of the harshest economic sanctions to slow Putin down. Nonetheless, due to Russia‘s key position in the global economy, especially in terms of oil, it is inevitable that the effects of this invasion are felt around the globe.  

What does all of this mean for us? Although this conflict is happening some 5,000 miles away, it can still have a significant effect on our daily lives in many different ways. Russia is the world’s third-largest oil producer. Even though the U.S. only imports a very small percentage of Russian oil, the oil marketplace is a global one. If supply becomes tight but the demands remain the same, inflation occurs. Today, a gallon of gasoline can cost anywhere from $4-6, compared to the national average of $1.94 per gallon just two years ago.

By now, most if not all Scarsdale High School students have noticed changes in prices at the pump. Although inconvenienced by the change in gas price, students understand the complexity of the issue. “What Russia is doing is unacceptable, and even though the cost of gas may increase, it is a necessary action in dissuading Russia from continuing to invade Ukraine,” commented Aaron Klein ’22. Through education at school, discussions with others, and consumption of news, students continue to stay informed about the conflict. “Even though the conflict isn’t affecting us personally, it’s still an important issue and students shouldn’t ignore it,” noted Klein.

In the end, there will be no victors from this war. The whole world will suffer from the actions of one man, and things are not looking bright ahead. Russia is on the path to losing a war of choice, which was initiated by a man who can never afford to admit defeat.