On May 4, 2023, the tensions between Ukraine and Russia took on a new and surprising form at the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly. During the economic conference in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, Ukrainian official Oleksandr Marikovsky had the Ukrainian flag ripped from his grasp by a Russian delegate. Immediately after, the assault transformed into a scuffle when Marikosvky pursued, punched the Russian delegate, and took back the flag. Later, Marikovsky, who is the People’s Deputy from the Servant of the People party, posted a video of the altercation online, with the (translated into English) message of: “Paws off our flag, paws off Ukraine, Russian filth!”
This scuffle comes after months of outright war in the battlefield, as well as continuously hostile and escalating skirmishes within worldwide legislative chambers.
As an American, the Russia-Ukraine Conflict has remained surprising, shocking, and an on-going subject of uncertainty within my classes. Last semester, when I took IAS 2003: Understanding the Global Community, the students brought up the war almost every day. Daily discussion encompassed more than a mere desire for the the latest news; we discussed reasons for why Russia had invaded, the historic and cultural differences that caused such violence, and the disparate worldwide players involved in the conflict. From our talks, it was clear to me that this was one of the first conflicts we as young adults had ever witnessed with a modicum of understanding. In real time, I was able to observe both myself and my peers try understand the chaos, violence, fear, and real-life consequences of war. When one country attacks another, I’ve learned, every country is involved in some capacity. Even if it is only by giving a statement at the UN or receiving the latest news on a national network, humans have reached a level of interconnectedness that, for better or for worse, makes every problem a problem for all.
This video from across the world brought me back to that classroom, and also to my own observations on my responsibilities as a growing adult. I like to think that the internet will lead to more understanding, but I suppose, as an entire society, all humans will just have to watch and find out if that’s actually true. One of the most immediately striking aspects of the video (and, keep in mind this is said from the perspective of a 20 year old American college student who grew up in Oklahoma, so take in with a grain of salt) other than the violence in a legislative space, was the way that the delegates were both just two humans. They are not shrouded in great power nor surrounded by artillery nor places on pedestals; they are not stoic titans, as Americans often perceive our elected leaders. They are small, feeble, fallible, passionate, and wholly mortal.
Wars and conflicts are fundamentally composed of people. This is something I personally am prone to forget. Our leaders are composed of the same DNA, fear, pain, passion, and ignorance as the rest of us, and if we are to hold them accountable (and prevent needless bloodshed), we must remember this fact. As the Russian-Ukraine conflict continues, I can only hope that the interconnectedness of us all leads to more peace in the future.
