Why Ukraine Matters: A Security, Political, and Global Perspectives

January 17, 2025
Ukraine’s role transcends borders, serving as a pivotal nexus for security, economic vitality, and the preservation of a rules-based order.
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Its significance lies at the intersection of geopolitics, democratic resilience, and global stability.

For the European Union, Ukraine serves as a critical security frontier; for the United States, it stands as a strategic partner rich in resources and a bastion of democratic values; and for the global community, it represents a critical test of upholding sovereignty in an increasingly multipolar world.

1. Ukraine as the EU’s Security Frontier

Ukraine’s geopolitical position transforms from the periphery status of Europe to the frontier of EU’s security architecture.

Functioning as a de facto bulwark against Russian expansionism, Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty embodies the EU’s broader commitment to defending territorial integrity and democratic governance in its neighbourhood.

The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and occupation of some parts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine highlight the stakes of unrepelled aggression, underscoring Ukraine’s critical role in Europe’s collective security.

Moreover, the geopolitical track of the Associated Trio, launched in 2021 to enhance cooperation between Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova on European integration, is now extensively under attack by the Kremlin to distance these states from the European family.

This highlights the need to support Ukraine as the EU’s security frontier, which repels Russia’s aggression now, rather than allow further aggression to multiple sovereign states.

2. Ukraine as a Geostrategic Partner to the United States

For the United States, Ukraine’s importance extends beyond Eastern flank.

Rich in critical resources such as iron ore, titanium, and lithium, Ukraine holds significant potential for diversifying global supply chains, particularly in clean energy sector.

As Ukraine succeeds with maintaining agricultural exports, the global food security is being preserved from geopolitical disruptions.

Ideologically, Ukraine represents the frontline in the contest between democracy and authoritarianism.

American support for Ukraine reflects a broader strategy to reinforce the principles of sovereignty and self-determination against autocratic encroachments.

Remarkably, Ukraine demonstrated notable progress in democratic governance even through war, achieving a score of 3.43 out of 7 in 2023, the most significant improvement among 29 countries assessed.

Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression opens a new chapter in the global understanding of decolonisation.

That is, the decolonisation process is not limited to the legacies of Western empires but also applies to the ongoing colonial practices of Russia as an imperial state.

Ukraine, as a European state, represents a unique case: a European country subjected to colonial subjugation.

For centuries, from the Russian Empire through the Soviet Union to the present day, Moscow has systematically exploited Ukraine economically, suppressed its cultural identity, and imposed a colonial governance model.

This reality contradicts the widely held perception that all European nations were solely colonisers.

Russia has long presented itself as the voice of the oppressed, particularly in the Global South.

However, this image is a faсade as far as Russia is one of the oldest and most oppressive empires, perpetuating expansion through the subjugation of sovereign nations.

Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression exposes this imperial myth. It reveals that Russia is not an alternative to Western empires but rather a continuation of imperial logic in a different guise.

Russia is not a supposed ally of anti-imperialist movements, but a subject of colonial ambitions.

3. Ukraine’s Role in Global Stability and Order

As a leading exporter of grain, Ukraine plays a critical role in stabilising global food markets.

Prior to the outbreak of the invasion, Ukraine was involved in over 15% of global corn exports, 10% of wheat, 15-20% of barley and over 50% of sunflower oil.

Ensuring Ukraine’s agricultural output is therefore not merely a regional concern but a global imperative, thus providing for Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya, Somalia, and others through the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative.

As of July 2023, almost 33 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs had been exported via the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

A Ukrainian victory will help alleviate the food crisis and potential famine all over the world, especially in Global South countries that feel the impacts of Russia’s invasion on food security the most severely.

Ukraine is also a high-tech state, with the ongoing war paradoxically, acting as a significant driver of technological innovation.

The attempt to address wartime challenges has spurred advancements in high-tech solutions.

From developing advanced drone technologies and cybersecurity systems to enhancing industrial capabilities for military and civilian use, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable adaptability.

A failure to adequately support Ukraine risks emboldening other revisionist actors, thereby destabilising the global order.

If Russia were to prevail in this war, it would set a norm of the forceful violation of international borders.

Following that, the international legal order established to prevent aggression and territorial conquest would be broken, signalling that the exception earlier became a norm.

Conclusion

Ukraine’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. For the EU, it is a security frontier and a test of the Union’s normative power.

For the United States, Ukraine’s resources and democratic aspirations align with broader geopolitical interests.

Globally, Ukraine represents a critical juncture for upholding the principles of sovereignty, stability, and a rules-based international order.

Its success is not only a national priority but a collective responsibility that carries implications for the future of global governance and security.

Daria Synhaievska
Analyst and journalist at UkraineWorld