The situation that is the Russo-Ukrainian conflict is always evolving. There are so many different rabbit holes that one could fall into when looking into the issue. 

As such, we at Anchor News wanted to present you with some of the most important issues concerning the current situation in Europe that a high school student in the Midwest should know. 

The first thing that high school students in the Midwest should know is some historical context that may be the catalyst for this conflict. Before Ukraine announced its modern independence, Russia was one of the countries (along with Poland and Lithuania) that held some type of jurisdiction over the country. Soon after, Russia regained control of the country and meshed it into the newly formed Soviet Union. Once in the Soviet Union, Ukrainians were forced into a man-made famine that claimed the lives of almost 13% of the country’s population. 

During the World War II era, Ukraine found itself aligned with Germany, hoping to gain a faster route to independence. It would not be until long after the dust of WWII settled that Ukraine officially became a country unto itself in August of 1991.

Since the breakup of the USSR, Russia has been sour over being forced to grant independence to its former satellite states (such as Ukraine). With this most recent invasion, Russia has been putting on the pretense that they are doing Ukraine a favor and by “liberating” them from poverty and strife.

Another thing that students in the Midwest should know is what NATO is and how it is affecting the situation. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance among 28 European countries and two North American countries. This organization was formed after WWII, and is committed to, “the peaceful resolution of disputes.”  Should peace and diplomacy fail, NATO contends, “(it) has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.” 

Should NATO be forced to act on a dispute, these actions would be carried out under the collective defense clause of NATO's founding treaty. This is essential to know because even though Ukraine has been trying to become a NATO nation, they have not yet been accepted into the organization. However, some of the countries close to Ukraine, such as Poland and Slovakia, are a part of NATO. These countries are requesting NATO troops as a precaution, just in case Russia tries to spread its invasion into these regions.

Finally, high school students should be informed about different ways to help Ukrainians in this time of great distress for their country. One way that many Americans have been helping in Ukraine is by booking AirBNBs that they don’t intend to use. This all started when Sarah Brown, a Salt Lake City, Utah AirBNB host and manager, posted on Facebook that she had booked a condo in Kyiv but she did not intend to check-in. This is a way for money to get into the country as well as provide housing for those who have lost their homes due to the crisis. AirBNB’s non-profit organization is sending all of the proceeds made on their end to help Ukrainians who are in desperate need. 

Another way to help is by donating to groups like CARE or CORE that are providing essentials like food, water, clothing, and many other items to those in need. Another amazing organization that could use donations is Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders has a medical staff in Ukraine and finding ways to respond to the medical fallout that has come along with the violent attacks Russia has inflicted. 

All in all, the conflict in Ukraine is a situation that is constantly evolving. However, even though this conflict is not on US soil, this does not mean there will not be effects felt here in the Midwest. That is why I think it is important for high school students to have at least a small portion of knowledge as to what is happening across the ocean.

For more news on all things current make sure to follow Anchor News on Instagram, Twitter, and Fusfoo for more updates as the situation evolves.