Dear Educator, Ukraine has been in the news a lot this past week. Ahead of the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the United States held talks with both Russia and Ukrainian officials but the Trump administration’s approach has escalated tensions between Kyiv and Washington. In addition to being a headline your students might have questions about, the war can teach us a lot about some of the most important global affairs concepts and institutions This newsletter will help you teach about this key moment in foreign policy while grounding your lessons in history by using hand-picked resources, including:
Additionally, this newsletter highlights resources from our brand-new learning journey about Europe and Eurasia. |
Let’s Rewind to the 1990s |
Ukraine gained independence in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For most of its recent history, Ukraine has been caught between two competing spheres of influence—NATO and the EU (to the west) and Russia (to the east). |
In 2014, protests in Ukraine over a rejected deal to bring it closer to Europe led Russia to annex Ukrainian lands and support pro-Russian separatists. Russia increasingly undermined Ukrainian sovereignty, claiming it as historically Russian territory. This culminated in the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seen by many in the West as an attack on the post-World War II international system.
These resources can help your students understand the concepts that define the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:
- What Is the Liberal World Order?
- What Is Sovereignty?
- What Are the Various Challenges to Sovereignty?
What is NATO’s Role in All of This? |
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance among thirty-two countries and its core principle of collective defense commits member countries to defend each other if attacked. NATO, which was established to combat the growing influence of the Soviet Union, has always been seen as a threat by Russia. |
While Ukraine is not a member of NATO, the alliance still responded by sanctioning Russia and providing hundreds of billions of dollars in support for Ukraine in the aftermath of the invasion.
Wary of Russian aggression, more European leaders also turned to NATO for protection, renewing the alliance’s strength. Within two years, Finland and Sweden became NATO members, adding to Russia’s concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has long questioned NATO’s effectiveness and U.S. commitments to its funding. These resources dive deeper into the role that NATO plays in this war and what a future without U.S.-backed support would mean for Ukraine and the world:
- Defending Ukraine in the Absence of NATO Security Guarantees
- Ukraine, NATO, and War Termination
- Europe’s Moment of Truth on Defending Ukraine—and the Continent
Use this historical mini simulation to help your students understand how Ukraine’s security concerns about Russia began almost as soon as the country exited the Soviet Union. |
What is the Latest? |
As of this morning, no deal to end the war in Ukraine has been met. Stay informed with insight from the experts at the Council on Foreign Relations with resources such as: |
Climate Corner |