Who are Ukraine's neighbours? Where do they stand in the Ukraine-Russia War?
Russia officially began the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Ukraine has so far been able to defend its capital Kyiv and the government of Ukraine from falling. But the war and its impact have not been limited to just the two countries, but rather the world over has been forced to pick a side.
But where do Ukraine’s neighbours stand amid the war, so close to home and so close to their own interests?
FIRST, THE GEOPOLITICS OF THE REGION
Ukraine, a former Soviet Union region, is the second largest country in Europe only after Russia (which spans across Europe and Asia both). Ukraine shares its borders with 7 other countries:
- Russia to its east and northeast
- Belarus to the north
- Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west
- Moldova and Romania to its south.
Ukraine shares the largest border area with Russia at 2,063 km including sea boundaries. Of course the dynamic is changing fast with the current Russian occupation and the standing occupation of Crimea.
WHERE DO UKRAINE'S NEIGHBOURS STAND IN THE WAR WITH RUSSIA?
WITH RUSSIA
1. Belarus: Ukraine’s northern neighbour who also shares its border with Russia, has become an ally of Moscow in the invasion of Ukraine. While Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the country is not taking part in Ukraine’s invasion, his government’s actions seemed to say otherwise.
Belarus is a long-time ally of Russia and just before the invasion, the two allies held military exercises. Belarus also allowed Russian troops inside its country and near its border with Ukraine, allowing them to enter Ukraine from the north, the closest route to the capital city of Kyiv.
The Russians are currently advancing towards the capital Kyiv. On its way, Russia also seized Chernobyl, the site of the world’s biggest nuclear disaster. However, Ukrainian forces have been able to keep Kyiv from falling so far.
Now, reports suggest that Belarus is preparing to send its soldiers to join the Russian troops alongside its invasion of Ukraine. On the other hand, talks are also underway between Ukraine and Russia at the Belarus border, the venue arranged by the Belarusian authorities.
For its role, Belarus has also been hit by sanctions.
WITH UKRAINE
2. Poland: Ukraine’s neighbour to the west, Poland, is a European Union country and a NATO member. Poland has been bracing for the influx of refugees from Ukraine. It has set up 9 reception centres on its border with Ukraine. Poland claims that it has been the first country to help Ukraine.
The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has slammed Russia for attacking civilians, inflicting suffering on women and children and undermining democratic freedom. So far, Poland says over 2,00,000 Ukrainians have found refuge in their country. India’s evacuation efforts of its nationals are also being undertaken from Poland and other neighbouring countries.
3. Slovakia: Ukraine’s western neighbour is also an EU country and a member of NATO. Slovakia has allowed entry to fleeing Ukrainians even without any travel documents. Other than allowing refugees inside the country, Slovakia is also providing military aid to Ukraine by supplying it with artillery ammunition and fuel worth 11 million Euros. Slovakia has also been vocal about supporting Ukraine’s plea to join the European Union on an immediate basis.
4. Romania: The southern neighbour, also a part of the EU and NATO, has been supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia. Romania is allowing entry to Ukrainian refugees and also sending military aid. Recently, Romania sent a 3 million Euro military aid consisting of fuel, bulletproof vests, combat helmets, ammunition, food, water and medicines to Ukraine.
WITH UKRAINE, BUT...
5. Hungary: Another western neighbour, Hungary is also part of the EU and NATO. Hungary has also opened up a humanitarian aid corridor to help to flee Ukrainians, but the country has expressed its unhappiness over the situation to Russia saying, “It has to adjust everything.”
Unlike other NATO members, Hungary has said that it will not be a part of the war and will not send Ukraine any lethal military weapon or allow the transit of any lethal weapons through its territory. Other than that, Hungary has deployed an unspecified number of military personnel at its border with Ukraine for security purposes and also for aid matters.
NEUTRAL
6. Moldova: Moldova, a former Soviet country, is also accepting Ukrainian refugees fleeing war. So far, some 26,000 Ukrainians have reached Moldova.
The country closed its airspace to the world on February 24, 2022 when the invasion began and also announced a state of emergency in the country. Moldova remains a neutral country in the conflict so far. However, even Moldova has expressed interest in the past in joining the European Union.