By: Paige Bollinger '25
Photo Courtesy of Max Kukurudziak via Unsplash
Headlines of newspapers, television, and social media around the world capture the attention of millions as the world watches the small country of Ukraine attempt to defend their home against the aggressive and powerful Russian military. Since the launch of the first missile on Kyiv during the late afternoon of February 24, havoc has flooded the streets of Ukraine as citizen rush to prepare for war and find safety. Sympathetic nations across the globe immediately reacted, sending support and resources to Ukraine as well as imposing distractive sanctions on the Russian government and economy. Although this crisis is across the sea, the United States still feels the sting of this calamity as it has evoked strong public emotion and will likely lead to several significant consequences across North America. The mass circulation of rumors due to hysteria has caused many people to develop a false perception of the extent that the War will affect us, thus making it especially important to distinguish which of these consequences are actually practical and worth noting. Here are 5 realistic ways that the Ukraine War will affect us:
Inflation
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The first and most noticeable way that the United States will be impacted by the Russian and Ukrainian War is inflation in the economic markets. Russia leads the energy business, producing 9.7 million barrels of oil per day last year according to Rystad Energy. Russia also specializes in metals such as aluminum and is the world’s biggest exporter of wheat, which is an industry that Ukraine is a major contributor in as well. The expenses of war are going to cause both Russia and Ukraine to raise the prices of their trade goods, consequently making it more expensive for other countries like the United States to buy from them. Because of this higher importation expense, American businesses must compensate for this higher cost and raise the prices on their buyers as well, causing inevitable inflation and a less efficient domestic economy.
Fear
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A second effect of the Ukrainian crisis on the United States is a general increase in public anxiety. Understanding the severity of the situation and how thousands of lives are in danger automatically triggers this emotion, and as we learn about the War’s amplification as more people die and threats escalate, this fear only intensifies. We are scared for Ukraine, and we are scared for our world. There is much uncertainty surrounding the potential consequences of this war and realizing that right now is only the beginning of what will projectively be a long conflict is very unsettling.
Refugee Crisis
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As thousands of Ukrainians are being forced to leave their homes and migrate to safety while Putin administers airstrikes on their cities, there is a credible prediction that the world is entering another refugee crisis. Hundreds of missiles have been fired into Kyiv, causing devastating damage to both public and residential buildings, leaving thousands of citizens homeless. The lack of shelter and dangerous environment will cause many Ukrainian families to flee and immigrate to a haven country like the United States where they can feel safe.
Travel Restrictions
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Travel will also suffer the consequences of the War as several countries have already closed their airspace with Russia and others will likely follow. Additionally, the airspace over Ukraine, Moldova, and parts of Belarus have also been shut down. These limitations will affect entire airway networks because Russia is a transcontinental country that spans over Eastern Europe and North Asia, so this impediment will subsequently make travel between the two continents much more difficult. These restraints not only affect the eastern hemisphere, but also the United States because international travel will become significantly more complicated and expensive.
Myths
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The fifth way that the Ukrainian and Russian War will affect the United States is that it will spark the invention of many myths about the crisis that are solely founded upon incorrect facts, exaggeration, and speculation. A few examples of these existing false myths include: “Ukraine is part of NATO,” “Biden is going to initiate a draft,” “We’re about to enter World War III,” and “There is going to a nuclear war.” As of right now, the United States and Ukraine are not officially allies and Biden has resolutely expressed his opposition to getting involved militarily unless Putin attacks us, which he will not. He even withdrew residing U.S. troops that were previously stationed there out of extra caution and clarified that the procedures that he is taking are solely defensive. He has no intention of inciting a world war and it is crucial that we believe this and try our best to remain calm and collected as unrealistic myths circulate around society.