Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova Between Russia and the EU

Objectives Identify Ukraine, Belarus, and the Black Sea on a blank map. Describe the physical geography of these countries. Explain why strong divisions exist within these three countries. Relate the disaster that occurred at Chernobyl. Explain the nickname of Ukraine.

Terms and Places Black Sea is the largest sea in Europe. Crimea is a peninsula in the Black Sea. Steppes are wide plains. Collectives are large government-controlled farms. Chernobyl is a nuclear power plant that burned. Breadbasket is a term used for areas that grow huge amounts of grain.

None of these countries are part of the EU or Eurozone. Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova have several things in common that set them apart from most of Europe. Belarus None of these countries are part of the EU or Eurozone. Ukraine All of these countries have been invaded by Russia and have large Russian-speaking sections. Moldova

(The other two are Bulgaria and Macedonia.) Ukraine and Belarus are the two largest countries outside Russia that use the Cyrillic Alphabet. Cyrillic Alphabet Belarus Latin Alphabet Ukraine Both (The other two are Bulgaria and Macedonia.)

Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine follow Orthodox Christianity. The Orthodox church is similar to the Catholic Church, but Orthodox Christians do not recognize the authority of the Pope. Orthodox Christians use icons – pictures or statues – to help them worship.

Ukraine is the largest country entirely inside Europe. Russia Ukraine is called the “breadbasket of Europe” because it grows so much grain. Ukraine is the largest country entirely inside Europe. Ukraine

Ukraine is mostly a fertile plain, called a steppe. This is where they grow the grain that gives Ukraine the nickname “Breadbasket of Europe.” The western edge of its border overlaps the Carpathian Mountains. On the Black Sea, Ukraine has a large Peninsula, called the Crimea. The Dnieper River crosses Ukraine and empties into the Black Sea. It’s subtropical and has been a summer vacation spot for many years. The capital city, Kiev, and other large cities are along the Dnieper.

Watch just the first few minutes. The population of Ukraine is lower where the grain is grown. Watch just the first few minutes.

Ukraine has suffered many tragedies. In the Middle Ages, Mongols, Tartars, and Huns invaded Europe through Ukraine.

Both Stalin and Hitler wanted to possess Ukraine because it was the breadbasket of Europe. The Starvation Stalin tried to take over the farms of Ukrainian people. When they resisted, Stalin deliberately starved them. A propaganda poster

Chernobyl In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine exploded. 28 workers at the station died within two months from acute radiation sickness. 135,000 were evacuated.

Birth defects have doubled in Ukraine since 1986. The authorities didn’t inform the people for two days. Many people went sunbathing and swimming and so were exposed to more radiation. Thyroid cancer among children is now 10 times higher than normal - in some areas, more than 80 times higher than normal. Birth defects have doubled in Ukraine since 1986.

Wild animals born in Chernobyl are often deformed. Today, the area is a ghost town, fenced off.

Unemployment Street Children The fall of Communism has brought about considerable personal freedom, but a bad economy. If one is lucky enough to find work, the average monthly wage is $401. Street Children High levels of poverty, unemployment, alcoholism, and other problems contribute to parents abandoning thousands of children. Approximately 50,000 children live in the street. Once on the streets, many become victims of drug and solvent abuse.

Which areas voted for their last President, pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych? After President Yanukovych rejected a deal to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union, which areas had demonstrations? This map shows the current situation. Russia has taken the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and is threatening its eastern third. Compare the map of people’s political beliefs to a map of the language they speak. Which areas voted for the pro-European party?

Latvia Russia Lithuania Poland Ukraine Belarus faces a similar problem. Many Russians live in Belarus; they want all the people Belarus to speak Russian and Russian only.

The people of Belarus are mostly poor farmers. Baltic States Belarus is mostly farmland, with scattered forests and swamps. Belarus Poland Ukraine

How many people currently live in Chernobyl? What is the nickname of Ukraine? Breadbasket of Eastern Europe none What a type of disaster occurred at Chernobyl? What part of Ukraine is the most popular tourist destination? Flood Carpathians Nuclear Steppes Earthquake Kiev Riots Crimea The economies of Ukraine and Belarus make these countries: On what body of water is the Crimean? Wealthier than most of Eastern Europe. Baltic Sea About the same as most of Eastern Europe Black Sea Caspian Sea Adriatic Sea Much poorer than most of Eastern Europe

'kremzliki are potato pancakes, Paska: traditional rich Easter bread Pirogues Ukrainian Borscht soup, made from beets other vegetables, and meat.

Black Sea Black Sea Black Sea Black Sea Black Sea Which is the Black Sea? Which country is Ukraine? Black Sea Which country is Belarus? Black Sea Belarus Ukraine Black Sea Black Sea Black Sea

What is the major dividing factor in both Ukraine and Belarus right now? How is language division causing a political division in these countries right now? Religion Race Most of Europe is moving toward the EU, but both Belarus and Ukraine have Russian-speaking populations that want to be friendlier with Russia instead. Language Education level How is communication in Belarus and Ukraine more like Russian than like other countries in Europe? What religion is the most popular in both Ukraine and Belarus? Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian are written in the Cyrillic Alphabet. Most of Europe uses the Latin Alphabet. Protestant Christian Judaism Orthodox Christian Catholic Christian

One of the tallest statues in the world is in Ukraine.

Here’s a privately made film that offers a quite revealing insight into ordinary life in Belarus.

Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. Baltic States Belarus Poland Ukraine Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. Moldova

Moldova also has a Russian-speaking section, but it has revolted and separated. After a civil war, the Russian-speaking part formed their own country. This country has its own government, currency, and army, but no other country has recognized it.

Please read “Ukraine. ” World Studies: Europe and Russia Please read “Ukraine.” World Studies: Europe and Russia. Pearson-Prentice-Hall, 2005. pgs. 189-194. About 4 pages

Cossacks

the strategic resource that binds Ukraine to both Moscow and Berlin is not food but natural gas. Ukraine’s major source of geopolitical significance is the Soviet-era pipelines that transport natural gas from Siberia to Europe. The terms of the gas trade are a major issue in Russian-Ukrainian relations http://youtu.be/F621EvRd4BU