The recent reelection of Vladimir Putin in Russia has sparked anxiety and fear in Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people see this as a sign of prolonged conflict and aggression. The presidential “election” in Russia was widely viewed as engineered, with no genuine opposition candidates on the ballot. The landslide victory that Putin claimed has left Ukrainians worried about the continuation of deadly missile attacks, drone strikes, and shelling that have plagued their country for years.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, responded to Putin’s reelection by denouncing him as “sick with power” and calling for accountability through the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Putin, who already faces a warrant for war crimes in the Hague, is seen by many Ukrainians as the instigator of the war that has caused immense suffering and displacement in their country.
The relationship between Ukraine and Russia has been strained for decades, with many Ukrainians feeling betrayed by their neighbor’s failure to intervene in the conflict. Even within Russia, there are dissenting voices who oppose Putin’s regime and support Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.
As the war continues to ravage both countries, Ukrainians find themselves with no choice but to face the harsh reality of a future defined by conflict. The reelection of Putin only solidifies their fears and raises questions about what comes next in the ongoing struggle between the two nations.
