According to Global Conflict Tracker, on Feb. 24, 2022 Russia moved troops to the border of Ukraine and invaded the country. Since the initial attack, Ukraine and Russia have suffered losses on both sides. The conflict has resulted in civilian casualties and caused tens of thousands of Ukrainians to flee to neighboring countries.

As of the time of this publication the United States and its allies have placed heavy sanctions on Russia to pressure the Russian government to withdraw its forces from fighting in Ukraine. We asked Oregon State University students their opinion about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Editor’s note: The opinions reflected in this article were taken closer to the initial engagement between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Alaric Hartsock, fourth-year computer science major.

What do you think about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

“I support Ukraine. Putin is waging an unjustifiable war of aggression and it feels great to see Ukraine holding its own in the war. It’s like a modern day David versus Goliath legend. Slava Ukraini.”

Mason Gruebele, first-year agricultural and food bus management major.

What do you think about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

“It isn’t our problem and that sounds harsh, but each time we intervene in another country, we destroy that country. Think Libya, Syria, Iraq. It is a dispute between Ukraine and Russia and should be left at that. However, if Crimea and the Donbas want to be a part of Russia, they should be able to vote and join that country peacefully, provided there isn’t any shady business in vote counting. Russian should also be added as a minority language in Ukraine. Both countries are in the wrong.”

Jack Wegrich, fourth-year business management major.

What do you think about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

“I already contacted my representative and both Oregon senators in support of measures including military escalation. Russian forces must continue to be opposed on all levels, from a no-fly zone to sanctions. We must take advantage of temporary national and international unity of purpose to smash the war criminals in the Kremlin.

I will still feel this way if gas goes to $10 a gallon.”

Disclaimer: This source has requested to be anonymous so the story will use an alias for this source.

Jimmy Smith, fourth-year geology major. 

What do you think about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

“Not our circus, not our monkeys.”

“Ukraine chose to be in cahoots with the West and now they are paying the price of western hubris. The Biden family has been using Ukraine for personal gain for years, research Hunter Biden and Burisma. It’s not a democracy there as the current Ukrainian government was put into place by the West after overthrowing the democratically elected government in 2014. We’ve been handpicking their government ever since.”

“It’s also hypocritical that the West is buying natural gas from Russia (Germany has over 50% of it’s natural gas come from Russia). They are strongly opposed to this war yet they won’t stop buying from Russia. So, they are effectively giving money to a state that is invading another country, while condemning that invasion. Imagine the U.S. buying Volkswagen cars during WW2, ridiculous.”

“Germany is now dealing with this because they leaned too hard into green alternatives and are now reliant on Russian energy imports. NIMBYism at it’s finest. If the West stops buying Russian gas, the West freezes.”

“Everyone who is frothing at the mouth to go to war or enact a no-fly zone for Ukraine needs to realize as soon as we shoot down a MIG jet, nuclear war is now on the table. Are you ready to be drafted (you too girls!) and die for a country you couldn’t even find on a map last week?”

Katelynn Schmidt, second-year agricultural science major.

What do you think about the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

“I believe it is a continuation of imperialistic attitudes that need to come to a grinding halt. Ukraine does not deserve bloodshed, violence or invasion. And it is safe to say that the majority of the world agrees with this sentiment as well.”