International Friendship Day 2022 - Ukraine/Russia Conflict

IFD 2022:

Ukraine/Russia Conflict

13 April 2022

Open Ended

What do you know about the Ukraine and Russia conflict? (e.g. when did it start, who started it, who are the people involved...)

Multiple Select

Which continent is Russia in?

• Asia

• Africa

• Europe

• North America

• South America

It spans over both Asia and Europe.

​

In contrast, Ukraine is much smaller and is part of Eastern Europe.​

Russia is the largest country in the world

Multiple Choice

Historically, Ukraine was part of what was known as the USSR. What does the USSR stand for?

• United Soviet Socialist Region

• Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

• Unified Social Soviet Republic

• Unity between Socialist Soviet Regions

Ukraine gained independence and was a separate country from Russia.

​

​

In 1991, the USSR (soviet union) collapsed...

They are both world superpowers with nuclear weapons.

​

They have very different ideologies​.

Meanwhile, USA and russia have always been in conflict...

Multiple Choice

USA has formed an alliance with 30 countries. The alliance is known as NATO. What does NATO stand for?

• North Arctic Treaty Organization

• New Atlantic Taskforce Organization

• North American Task Organization

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization

For all the countries in NATO, if any country gets attacked, the other countries MUST come to its military defence.

​

​NATO is one of Russia's biggest fears.

Nato

Since its independence, Ukraine wants to join Nato...

It hasn't been allowed to join officially but it is still considered to have the support of USA and the NATO countries.

Open Ended

Why do you think Ukraine wants to join NATO?

Russia's Concerns...

All the blue countries are those which belong to NATO. As you can see, NATO is expanding towards the East where Russia is...

​

Meanwhile, NATO has also conducted military exercises in Eastern Europe.

Open Ended

Why do you think Russia doesn't want Ukraine to join NATO? What is Russia afraid of?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_deXlraAE

Ukrainian Response

Spend some time reading these articles about how some individuals are responding to the war...

1. Kindness at the Border

2. Tennis ace swops racket for rifle​

​

​

Open Ended

After reading the articles, how do you feel about what's happening in Ukraine?

Multiple Choice

How many countries do you think have condemned (i.e. publicly said that they do not approve) of Russia's invasion?

• 34

• 87

• 141

• 202

The world's response

​Sanctions:

Sanctions are official orders that limit trade and contact with a particular country in order to make it do something, such as obey international law.

Multiple Choice

Do you think Singapore has condemned the war? (to condemn = to express disapproval of something)

• Yes

• No

Singapore's response

Vivian Balakrishnan said publicly that Singapore does not approve of Russia's invasion, because the sovereignty of all countries must be respected.​

Poll

There were mixed reactions to how Singapore responded. Which of the following statements do you agree with? You may tick more than one!

• Russia was obviously wrong so Singapore should definitely condemn them.

• Singapore shouldn't just SAY it's wrong, we should DO more.

• Singapore is putting ourselves at risk by taking a stand.

• Singapore should have kept quiet and remained neutral.

Singapore's Response

Spend some time reading this article and watching the videos.

​

CLICK!​

​

Open Ended

Even though there are many fears about openly condemning Russia, why do you think Singapore still did it?

Get into pairs or threes.

​

You will:

1. Read a quote

2. See a question

3. Discuss the question as a group

4. Type in your own answer to the question​

PM Lee Hsien Loong (28 Feb 2022)

​“If international relations are based on ‘might is right’, the world will be a dangerous place for small countries like Singapore.”

Open Ended

If countries can ignore international agreements and invade other countries, why would it be dangerous for small countries like Singapore?

PM Lee Hsien Loong (28 Feb 2022)

​

“When treaties and diplomacy fail, we cannot rely on others to protect us. We must never lose the capability to defend ourselves.”

Open Ended

What can Singapore do to make sure we can defend ourselves? What can YOU do?

In summary...

Singapore adopts the method of DETERRENCE and DIPLOMACY.

​

DIPLOMACY: Singapore is a small country, so we must maintain good relationships with other countries.

​DETERRENCE: Singapore must build up its own defence to deter other people from attacking us. We must depend on ourselves to defend our country.

PM Lee Hsien Loong (28 Feb 2022)

​“We have enjoyed peace and stability for more than 50 years. Russia’s attack on Ukraine reminds us how precious this is, and why all of us who call Singapore home must work together to preserve this.”

​