Drivers of Conflict and Cooperation

Question 1

Driver of cooperation

Answer 1

1. Shared humanitarian concern and refugee protection
2. Defence of the rules-based international order and sovereignty

Question 2

Drivers of conflict

Answer 2

1. Domestic political pressures
2. Uncompromising positions of Ukraine and Russia

Question 3

Shared humanitarian concern and refugee protection

Answer 3

• The invasion has created one of the largest refugee crises in recent history, with over 6.3 million refugees fleeing Ukraine by 2023 (UNHCR).
• The humanitarian impact—including civilian deaths, attacks on hospitals and schools, and internal displacement—has driven international cooperation to address immediate needs.
• In March 2022, the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive, granting Ukrainian refugees residency, education, health care, and employment rights across all 27 EU member states.

Question 4

Defence of the rules-based international order and sovereignty

Answer 4

• Russia’s invasion is widely viewed as a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state.
• On 2 March 2022, UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 passed with 141 countries condemning Russia’s actions and demanding immediate withdrawal.
• States have cooperated diplomatically to uphold international law, with consistent G7, EU, and NATO communiqués reaffirming support for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Question 5

Domestic political pressures

Ukraine public sentiment

Answer 5

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear that no territorial concessions will be made, in line with public sentiment:
  A 2023 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found 84% of Ukrainians oppose giving up territory for peace.

Question 6

Uncompromising positions of Ukraine and Russia

Quote Zelensky (June 2024)

Quote Putin (September 2022)

Answer 6

“Russia can start the negotiations with us tomorrow, not waiting for anything, if they pull out from our legal territories.” (June 2024)

“People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens—forever.” (September 2022)