Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Tentatively, European Union Weighs Its Options on Support for a New Ukraine
Also this article has little to do with the United States, I still believe this topic is not being mentioned enlightened because it is a huge deal. Across the boarder in Sochi, Russia the Winter Olympics were being held and on the other side the Ukrainian citizens were overthrowing the government. This has created a tough situation for the European Union because they are currently under the European Neighbor Policy and want to keep their good standing with Russia. Ukraine is asking for the EU's support along with $35 billion over the next two years, which absolutely absurd. Obviously none of us know what is actually happening over seas but it's a big deal.
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The European Union is in a tough spot as it weighs its option on what it should do, but to me it sounds like Ukraine is being ridiculous and irrational in what it is asking for. Asking for the massive loan to pay off debts to other countries is only going to put Ukraine in a deeper hole to try and climb out of. It is unfortunate that the value of their currency is absolutely plummeting, and that's only going to make things tougher on Ukraine. This is definitely not good for Ukraine, and I think their asking for $35 billion is completely ridiculous, but this country seems to be falling apart and it needs help fast. I think if the European Union offered Ukraine less money, it may not be such a bad idea to loan them the money, but $35 billion is too much and will only make things worse for a country that is already a mess.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel well versed on this topic. From the article, I can assume that The European Union is now in a tough spot. The 35 billion that Ukraine is asking for seems like a lot, particularly for the European Union to give considering their past refusal to cut deals with Spain, Portugal and Greece. I will be curious to see how this turns out. Ukraine is in a really unstable spot right now, and their economic options seem bleak.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't know much about this topic, I found this article interesting. The European Union is in an extremely difficult spot, but 35 billion seems a bit high to me. Ukraine is in a horrible situation and needs all the help they can get, and I think that should be the European Union's main concern instead of worrying about their relationship with Russia. I agree with Kevin that perhaps Ukraine should ask for less money and see where that gets them to rebuild their nation.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand why the European Union doesn't want to give Ukraine so much money when it is still unreformed, but this pretty much leaves the situation at a standstill because the country can't go through much of a structural change when it's in this sort of a financial state. Ukraine needs quick money and just like the article says, "either someone comes to save [them] or it will be total bankruptcy."
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good to understand foreign governments as well as our own government. Obviously there has been a lot of media coverage of Russia because of the Olympics but I think Americans should be aware of world issues throughout the year. I think it is wise for the UN to be only advising Ukraine and not becoming too involved. I think that when too many outside parties get involved the conflict deepens. Advising seems to be the best policy for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can form the most reasonable opinion on this issue because I'm not an expert on the European Union, but from reading the article it doesn't sound like a very good situation for Ukraine no matter how it plays out. If they receive the 35 billion then it sounds like there is a chance it could be wasted based off of passed history. If they don't receive the money then they're not getting the help that they desperately need. They're going to need a strong leader step up and take control of the situation without becoming tyrannical. This is much easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't know much about this issue (the EU and Ukraine), the little that I do know about the EU often makes me question their judgment. I wonder why the EU, an organization representative of economically responsible countries such as Germany, would let countries like Greece (economically irresponsible) to join. It is for this reason that it would not surprise me if the EU agreed to lend Ukraine 35 billions (that may just be wasted), or if they make the decision not to help a all. The EU just seems a little unpredictable to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a tough situation. Ukraine has tried to revolt before and it hasn't stuck. The European Union could look at that and see a need for the money so that this time the revolution does stick, or they could see it as a waste and irresponsible to give the money. There are definitely points on both sides. As many others have said I don't feel well versed enough to take a very strong stand one way or another.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Ukraine is in a time of crisis, I'm not sure if helping Ukraine is a good idea for the European Union. It is well-known that the European Union hasn't exactly been successful of late. Financially, it is no secret that they have been in crisis. I think that the European Union should help to draw more support in creating a new Ukraine by talking to other countries. I don't think, however, that they should be the one to dump billions of dollars into the struggling country. The EU has been on the brink of collapse in the past couple years. If the move forward, I hope Ukraine isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back.
ReplyDeleteWith all that has happened lately, I think it will be hard for Ukraine "to maintain good ties with Russia." This are truly unfortunate events unfolding before us. What I hate is that more people do not know about this. A lot of my friends do not know about this issue and they should. People are dying and deserve to have their voices heard by all.
ReplyDeleteLike most of the issues on this blog, I'm really stuck. So I guess I'll just feed off of what everyone else said! While Ukraine's situation is urgent, EU intervention does not seem like the better choice. The risk of wasting the opportunity and money at this time is too great in my eyes. And, like Yarrow pointed out, sometimes too much intervention only worsens the conflict.
ReplyDeleteThis is an incredibly difficult situation largely because of the fact that just because the current guy is so bad does not mean the next will be any better (and many times is even worse). There are many times in history when the ousting of one bad leader only led to even worse tyranny (think of the Shah of Iran being replaced by Khomeini or how Mubarak in Egypt was replaced by Morsi). Thus, before any intervention is truly planned, a complete grasp of the entire situations (including who the potential successors are) is required. To act without full knowledge of the ramifications would not only be irresponsible but greatly dangerous (especially with Putin being on the other side of the issue).
ReplyDeleteSeeing that the European Union has recently been suffering in the worldwide depression, I can see why they wouldn't immediately trust the new Ukrainian government with a lot of money because of the corruption that has been rampant for many years after the newly-desolved Soviet Union let go of the nations surrounding them. They need to have huge reforms in order for them to be trusted with this aid that would save their country from bankruptcy.
ReplyDeleteI don't see European Union intervention as the best choice in this situation. $35 billion seems to be too much for Ukraine to be asking and it also seems like a lot for the EU to give them. I think that the European Union's main concern should be helping Ukraine, but I feel like there are other ways to do that without pouring out billions of dollars. I agree with Lydia and Kevin that maybe Ukraine should ask for less money.
ReplyDeleteI think that the EU should definitely support Ukraine in its attempts at establishing a successful nation. Eastern Europe has struggled in the aftermath of the Cold war and is marked with poverty and violence. I think that helping Ukraine would send a great message to other european nations, it also doesn't hurt that Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe and is also one of its largest grain producers.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important for the EU to publicly notify everyone that they are going to support Ukraine in their time of need. Although giving their support is a responsible thing to do giving $35 billion dollars to an unstable country is extremely irresponsible. The EU is clearly in a difficult situation. They have to find the right balance between responsibly helping Ukraine without harming the EU as an organization itself.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have much background knowledge on Ukraine, but it seems to me they are in an interesting position. I feel the 35 billion is a little overboard to ask for from the European Union, but who am I to say. I'm interested in following this issue and seeing how it plays out.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have much background knowledge on Ukraine, but it seems to me they are in an interesting position. I feel the 35 billion is a little overboard to ask for from the European Union, but who am I to say. I'm interested in following this issue and seeing how it plays out.
ReplyDelete