As the war in Ukraine stretches on, it鈥檚 become increasingly clear to chief instigator Vladimir Putin and the rest of the world that the assault won鈥檛 produce the quick victory Russia may have expected.
And the prolonged conflict appears to be taking a toll on all parties involved.
"The invasion of Ukraine is arguably the most disgraceful war in Russia鈥檚 modern history. This war is a catastrophe not only for Ukraine but for Russia as well,鈥� said Denis Kozlov, an associate professor in Dal's Department of History, during a forum on the conflict hosted by Dal, Saint Mary鈥檚 and Mount Saint Vincent universities last Thursday.
The virtual forum was led by Ruben Zaiotti, director at Jean Monnet European Union Centre of Excellence at Dalhousie, and also included Dal colleagues Leah Sarson (Political Science), Brian Bow (Political Science), Anders Hayden (Political Science) as well as Maya Eichler from Mount Saint Vincent (Political and Canadian Studies/Women's Studies) and Lyubov Zhyznomirska from Saint Mary鈥檚 (Political Science).
Related reading: How two Dal colleagues teamed up to help Ukrainian family find safe passage from conflict
An expansive discussion
Major themes discussed during the forum included the role the Canadian government is playing in the war, making sense of the war from a historical perspective, the gender dimensions of the war, Ukraine鈥檚 application to become a member of the European Union, the role of fossil fuels in the war and NATO's influence in the conflict.
Viewers were encouraged to submit questions during the forum, broadening the discussion into the origins of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Putin鈥檚 potential plans to drive this conflict into further Baltic countries like Latvia, the impact of this war on Russian women and children and on food inflation.
With answers of the war鈥檚 origin dating back to the fall of the Soviet Union, Dr. Hayden noted current contributions to the cause of Russian aggression.
鈥淐limate change and the war on Ukraine have the same roots, fossil fuels and our dependence on them,鈥� says Dr. Hayden.
Panelists shed light on the conflict from different angles, using their respective areas of expertise to field questions. While nobody could pinpoint the future of Putin鈥檚 political plans, they made clear the current stress on both countries is and will be devastating.
Related reading: At Dal gathering, a silent show of resolve for peace in Ukraine
How to help
The forum ended on a final question posed by Dr. Zaiotti.
鈥淗ow do you think people in the audience might be able to help, in whatever fashion, with regards to what鈥檚 happening today in Ukraine?鈥�
鈥淒onating to a source that is close to the people,鈥� offered Dr. Zhyznomirska, 鈥淏oycott products with the companies that are staying in Russia and supporting the war machine.鈥�
鈥淭he Canadian government is matching donations to the Red Cross to a maximum of $30 million,鈥� added Dr. Sarson to the call for donations.
Related reading: War and Peace in Ukraine