There is an affair which holds the spotlight in the world nowadays. It is Ukrainian Turmoil that has been broadcast repeatedly. Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania, said Russia's actions amounted to a prelude to a ''new Cold War''. She said it was important for the EU to make a ''strong response'' in relation to Vladimir Putin.
Let me explain what happened. Ukraine was an administrative district of the former Soviet Union. In 1954, the chief clerk of Russia, Nikita Khrushchyov who is from Ukraine, gave the Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine including the Crimean Peninsula gained independence. The territorial dispute about the Crimean Peninsula was the beginning of Ukrainian Turmoil.
    Traditionally in Ukraine, people who speak Ukrainian have lived in the western regions and are pro-Europe. On the other hand, people who speak Russian have lived in the eastern part of the country and are pro-Russia. In 2004, there was a presidential election and a candidate from the East which has turned out many presidents for years, won. But this election was suspected of fraud, Western people had a demonstration to protest the rigged election which is called as the Orange Revolution. As the result, Viktor Yushchenko from the West became the president. But the economic crisis lasted for 10 years that is why Ukraine planned to join EU and NATO. However, Viktor Yanukovych from the East became the president and he not only canceled joining EU and NATO but also kept a close relationship with Russia.
    The Black Sea naval fleet is one of the reasons for Ukrainian Turmoil. It is the fleet of the former Soviet Union and located in Sevastopol of the Crimean peninsula. Sevastopol is very important to Russia given that it is the only ice-free port as a strategic position and an important traffic spot. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the ownership of the fleet has been ambiguous, even still now. The fleet influences the military power and the national interests of both Ukraine and Russia, so the dispute has been on going.
    The last thing is related to gas pipes. Russia is the greatest natural gas producer in the world. Russia provides 30 percent of the natural gas used in Europe. 80 percent of the pipes connected from Russia to Europe pass through the underground of Ukraine. If a problem occurs, it will lead to the economic injury in Russia. Russia will not give up Ukraine easily.
    On November 21st in 2013, the Ukrainian government stopped the process of joining EU. In December, the opposition demonstrators occupied Kiev City Hall and the antigovernment demonstrators demolished the statue of Lenin in Kiev Square. It seemed to be solved after the resignation of Mykola Azarov who was the prime minister. But there was a tragedy in February, over 100 people were killed. Finally Viktor Yushchenko stepped down and he made a request for self-protection to Russia. A Russian combat plane appeared in Ukraine and occupied the airport of the Crimean Peninsula. In March, Barack Obama warned Russia about the military operations but Vladimir Putin, Russian President, counterattacked with approval of assembly. Because of this volatile situation, the EU and NATO called an emergency meeting. On March 6th, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea announced that they had decided to merge into Russia. The election was held, 97 percent of people supported their announcement. Then Russian assembly passed the bill and absorbed Ukraine as soon as it was approved. 
    It is time to listen to the opinions of Lithuania. Lithuania is one of the three Baltic countries and was occupied by the former Soviet Union. Lithuania became independent in 1990 and just over 20 years passed. The President of Lithuania was calling for strong international sanctions on Russia's actions and Vladimir Putin. How about the Lithuanian students? I could hear the local students’ opinions from my friends. They said, “Lithuania is afraid that Russia can start to think about the occupation of Baltic countries...” Some people worry about the attack of Russia. I hope every situation will be solved peacefully.
 

By Oh Eun-Ji, Overseas Correspondent