Why did Russia invade Ukraine? What’s the impact of it on Nepal?

  Russia has launched a military operation in the European country of Ukraine since Thursday morning. After Russia launched its offensive, Ukrainian citizens are reportedly fleeing the capital, Kiev, to safety.

      A curfew has been imposed in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, as Russian aggression escalates. The BBC reports that a curfew has been imposed as Russian troops approach Kiev.

      The Ukrainian government says clashes continue in the capital, Kiev, on Saturday, the third day of the attack. The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a Russian military base. That includes some residential areas.

Why the Russo-Ukrainian War?

      Russia-Ukraine dispute is not new. This controversy has been going on for a long time. But the latest controversy erupted on February 21 when Russia recognized Donetsk and Luhansk, two territories in eastern Ukraine bordering it, as independent states.

      Ukraine, which seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991, has long wanted to join NATO and the European Union (EU), and the West is keen to join. Russia, meanwhile, has said it will not allow Ukraine to join NATO.

      Russia’s position is getting stronger now, so there is no sign of Russia backing down. Russia has a clear view that Ukraine can establish trade relations with the West but will not allow it to become a member of NATO. In the name of cooperation, the United States, Britain and other countries have been providing arms to Ukraine.

      With the victory in the Cold War, the United States was gaining ground around the world. Over the decades, various challenges have been added to it. If Russia’s move makes sense, it will be the beginning of a weakening of the United States. The US understands that efforts to weaken itself can be defeated if NATO is strengthened.

Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War in Nepal

      Nepal has been importing cooking oil, corn, telephone and mobile equipment and readymade garments from Ukraine. In the last fiscal year 2077/78, Nepal imported 354 different types of commodities from Ukraine. Ukraine accounts for 95 percent of Nepal’s crude oil production. The union says the remaining 5 percent will be imported from Russia and Argentina.

      Exports with Russia are in the tens of millions, but imports are in the billions. According to the statistics of the customs department, goods worth Rs 4.31 billion were exported in the last seven months. Russia has imported printing paper, automobiles, chemicals (sodium phosphate), animal vaccines, shampoos, baby lotions and cosmetics. Carpets worth Rs 73.9 million, tea leaves worth Rs 61.3 million, agarbatti worth Rs 3 million, hangers for clothes worth Rs 1.1 million and yarchagumba worth Rs 6.5 million have been exported.

      For some years now, soybean and sunflower oil have been among the major exports of Nepal. As of January this year, palm, soybean and sunflower oil worth Rs 73.64 billion had been exported from Nepal.

      According to the Nepal Vegetable Ghee Oil Producers Association, the import and export of raw materials will be affected along with the consumption of the domestic market as the source of raw materials is a problem in the country.

      Russia and Ukraine are the major producers of wheat. Not only the consumers of Nepal but consumers around the world will be hit hard if military action in the region affects food production and distribution systems. One third of the gas used in Europe is supplied by Russia, while Ukraine also exports gas to Europe. If the  war continues between these two countries, Europe will definitely face a fuel crisis, and the price of fuel will go up worldwide.