Ukraine’s Neighbors Respond to the Russian Invasion on Ukraine
Smoke and fire rising as Russian forces bomb Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Photo: Gleb Garanich/ Reuters
At approximately 5:50 am on Feb. 24, the Russian military invaded Ukraine. This is the first step of what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern region of Donbas, where he claimed to protect civilians and address the threat posed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The decision to attack Ukraine came a few days after Putin recognized the sovereignty of two regions occupied by pro-Russian separatist groups, the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The first explosions on Thursday morning could be heard across Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, and other major cities like Lviv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, which resulted in alarm sirens being activated by Ukrainian authorities. As the sun rose, Putin’s troops, with significant support from Belarus, launched a series of air strikes, sea invasions, and continued to move closer to Kyiv. It was only a matter of hours until Ukrainian allies and neighbors concerned with Ukraine’s and their own safety responded to the invasion.
Poland’s strong involvement in the conflict has been very clear since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Poland was present at various negotiation tables, drafting an alliance with Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Poland was one of the first Eastern European countries to receive US troops before Thursday’s invasion. Moreover, a day before the attack, Polish President Andrzej Duda together with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and promised to advocate for Ukraine’s European Union membership that would grant Ukraine significantly more military protection.
A few hours after the initial explosions rang across Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda warned that together with the EU and NATO members, Poland would respond to what he described as an unjustified Russian attack on a sovereign and independent nation.
This response is similar to eight years ago, when Russia annexed the region of Crimea and the Polish government reopened their borders to Ukrainians. As of now, there are nine reception centers across the Polish-Ukrainian border, where refugees can receive a meal, medical and legal assistance, and a place to rest safely. According to the press spokesman for the Minister Coordinator of Secret Services, Stanisław Żaryn, some 29,000 Ukrainians have already crossed the border. However, hundreds of legal residents in Poland also left for Ukraine to support their families and fight for their homeland.
Solidarity with Ukrainians protest in Wrocław, Poland. Photo: Maciej Kulczyński/PAP
As 5,500 American troops are preparing to support the increasing immigration to Poland, they are also preparing for what could be a NATO military intervention. While Polish Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak reassures the Polish populace, saying that Poland is very well-protected by NATO, there are justifiably concerned sentiments among the people. Not only is the prospect of a military conflict scary for a Polish society whose majority vividly remembers life under the influence of the Soviet Union, but people are also worried about rising food and gas prices that have been a financial burden for many since the pandemic began.
Moldova, a small country southwest of Ukraine, immediately shut its airspace for any civilian flights due to its geopolitical situation, as well as recent conflicts with Russia over gas delivery and pricing. The Moldovan government explained on Twitter that such a decision was made to “avoid putting at risk civilian flights” and that all planes will now be redirected to Iasi, an airport in Romania that is close to the Moldovan border.
According to RadioFreeEurope, by Feb. 25 Moldova had already welcomed almost 26,000 Ukrainians. Although it is unclear whether they will settle in Moldova or try to reach an EU member state, Moldova is a safe place for them to stay due to its 60-day declared state of emergency. There are two established assistance centers close to the border, and the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has been in contact with the Romanian government regarding refugees that arrived at the Romanian airport or border.
Following Putin’s invasion, President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, declared a state of emergency and ordered that Lithuania’s NATO army deploys close to the border due to potential provocations from either Russian or Belarusian forces. The country’s shared borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad make it especially prone to attack. As explained by the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielus Landbergis, “The battle for Ukraine is a battle for Europe. If Putin is not stopped there, he will go further.” It is a common concern among former Soviet states that Putin may have aspirations to rebuild the empire that collapsed in 1991.
Hungary deployed troops close to their relatively short border with Ukraine a few days before Putin’s unexpected attack. The Hungarian Defense Ministry highlighted the importance of the troops for both border security and humanitarian reasons. The national forces were transported to the east of the country, while NATO troops continued their annual exercises in the western regions. Furthermore, Prime Minister Victor Orban ordered a prohibition of any armed groups from entering Hungary to prevent military maneuvers.
Less than a week after the defense ministry stationed troops at the border, their worst predictions came true. Soon after the first few hours of explosions, Ukrainians rushed to the Hungarian border. Yesterday’s statement of the Hungarian Defense Forces suggests that there might be even 600,000 Ukrainians seeking asylum in Hungary in the next few days, for which Hungary claims to be prepared.
Ukrainians walking to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. Photo: Bernadett Szabo/ Reuters
Slovakia joined other Eastern European countries in solidarity with Ukrainian refugees and promised to admit all of those who show up at their border, even if they lack documents, as confirmed by the Slovak police. As people continue to arrive, local governments prepare facilities to host the Ukrainian newcomers. Ratislav Trnka, head of the Košice region, announced that they are preparing schools, hostels, gyms, and dormitories to become temporary homes for fleeing Ukrainians. The Slovakian government ordered 1,500 soldiers to monitor the border and help incoming refugees find accommodation.
Since the situation is far from stable and people continue to leave their homes in search of refuge in the West, the circumstances and policies of all countries mentioned are subject to change.