A Battle Over Sovereignty and Global Order

By Alison Bos

Since early 2022, the war between Ukraine and Russia has dominated headlines and reshaped global political dynamics. What was initially described by Russia as a "special military operation" has become a full-scale war with devastating humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical consequences. For Ukraine, the conflict represents a fight for national survival. For Russia, it is about reclaiming influence over what it views as its historical sphere. And for the international community, the war challenges the post-Cold War international order.

Historical Roots of the Conflict

Ukraine gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, it has pursued closer integration with the European Union and NATO, moves seen by Russia as a threat to its regional power (Mankoff, 2022). Tensions escalated sharply in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and began backing separatist groups in eastern Ukraine. These actions were widely condemned and marked the beginning of ongoing armed conflict in the Donbas region.

The 2022 invasion marked a significant escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin justified it on vague claims of “denazifying” Ukraine and protecting Russian-speaking populations (Galeotti, 2022). For most analysts, these were pretexts for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and halting its Western integration.

International and Canadian Response

The global response has been largely supportive of Ukraine. Western nations, including Canada, imposed economic sanctions on Russia, froze assets, expelled diplomats, and supplied Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid (CBC News, 2022). Canada has contributed over $9 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022, including lethal weapons, armoured vehicles, and intelligence-sharing capabilities. In addition to military aid, Canada also granted temporary residence and work permits to thousands of displaced Ukrainians and implemented immigration pathways to support families affected by the war.

NATO, while not directly involved in the fighting, has strengthened its eastern flank and expanded its membership, with Finland and Sweden joining the alliance—decisions accelerated by Russia's aggression. Canada played a key role in supporting Finland and Sweden’s accession and continues to train Ukrainian troops through Operation UNIFIER, a long-standing Canadian Armed Forces mission in Ukraine.

On the other hand, countries like China and India have maintained more ambiguous positions, avoiding condemnation of Russia while urging dialogue. These stances reveal the global divide and complexity of balancing economic interests with diplomatic positions.

Human and Economic Costs

As of mid-2025, over 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced, with thousands of civilian casualties reported (UNHCR, 2024). Infrastructure across cities like Mariupol and Kharkiv has been reduced to rubble. War crimes investigations are ongoing, with mounting evidence of attacks on civilian areas and abuses by occupying forces.

The war has also disrupted global food and energy supply chains. Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, has faced export blockades, affecting food security in parts of Africa and the Middle East (World Bank, 2023). Meanwhile, energy prices soared as Europe sought alternatives to Russian oil and gas.

Canada has not been immune to the economic ripple effects. Rising energy prices and inflation, particularly on food staples, have posed domestic challenges. At the same time, Canadian grain exporters have stepped up production to help stabilize global markets, offering increased shipments to countries impacted by the Ukrainian grain shortage. The conflict has also sparked debates in Canadian policy circles about energy security and the future of Canadian resource exports to Europe.

Broader Implications

This war has revived Cold War-era concerns about great power rivalry. It’s not just a regional conflict—it represents a broader clash between authoritarianism and liberal democracy. Russia is trying to reshape the balance of power in Eurasia, while Ukraine is fighting to define itself as a sovereign democratic nation (Kuzio, 2022).

For the international community—and particularly for Canada—the war has exposed weaknesses in the global security architecture. The United Nations has been largely ineffective in addressing the crisis, primarily due to Russia’s veto power in the Security Council. Canada has publicly criticized the UN’s inability to act decisively and has called for Security Council reform, arguing that current structures do not reflect 21st-century geopolitical realities. Ottawa has also used its G7 platform to push for stronger multilateral coordination in both sanctions enforcement and post-war reconstruction planning.

While NATO, the EU, and countries like Canada have stepped up in various ways, questions remain about how long the West can sustain support in the face of war fatigue, economic strain, and growing domestic pressures.

Conclusion

The Ukraine–Russia war is not just about borders; it is about the future of global order and the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and international cooperation. As the conflict stretches into its fourth year, its outcome—militarily or diplomatically—will shape international relations for a generation. Ukraine’s resistance has galvanized support and inspired democratic societies around the world, including in Canada, where solidarity has been widespread across political parties and civil society.

However, lasting peace will require more than solidarity; it will demand real political solutions, accountability, and long-term commitment from the international community. For Canada, this means not only continuing its diplomatic and material support, but also helping to lead conversations about how to rebuild a more resilient and responsive international system in the wake of war.

References

CBC News. (2022, March 2). Canada imposes new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine invasion. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-russia-sanctions-ukraine-1.6368089
Galeotti, M. (2022). The Weaponisation of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War. Yale University Press.
Kuzio, T. (2022). Russian Nationalism and the Russian-Ukrainian War. Routledge.
Mankoff, J. (2022). Empires of Eurasia: How Imperial Legacies Shape International Security. Yale University Press.
UNHCR. (2024). Ukraine emergency. https://www.unhcr.org/ukraine-emergency
World Bank. (2023). Food Security Update: Ukraine War’s Global Impact. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update

Alison is a third year student at Mt.Alison University persuing Political Science and Geography. Her interests are Europe, Nordic states and history of internaitonal institutions