REVIEW: The Aftermath for Ukrainians

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Summary

This AI summary is generated by Microsoft Edge Copilot:

**Ukraine's Ongoing Struggle — 2014 to 2021 Summary**

Since 2014, successive Ukrainian administrations—one acting and two elected—have strived to reclaim **Crimea** and restore control over **Donbas**, but have faced formidable obstacles.

### Crimea: Diplomatic Success, Strategic Loss
- **Military Action Avoided**: Ukraine opted out of direct warfare due to Russia’s overwhelming military strength.
- **Diplomatic Offensive**:
  - The UN condemned the annexation.
  - The EU and U.S. rejected the legitimacy of the Crimean referendum.
  - Ukraine sustained international attention and sanctions through persistent lobbying.
  - It even influenced the halting of a Russia-Germany gas pipeline project.
- **On the Ground**: Despite diplomatic wins, Russia entrenched its control, fully integrating Crimea into its national systems.

### Donbas: Frustrated Military Gains and Proxy War
- **Early Surprise**: Pro-Russian separatists seized towns and territory after catching Ukraine off guard.
- **Ukrainian Counterattack**: Gains were repeatedly reversed by covert Russian military support—unmarked vehicles, night crossings, and "volunteer" troops.
- **Escalation**: Russia introduced advanced weaponry, including missile systems; tragically, this led to the downing of **Flight MH17**, killing 298 civilians.

### A War Gone Cold
- **Ceasefires and Treaties**: Numerous truces and signed agreements were short-lived.
- **By 2020**: A more durable ceasefire brought reduced violence and prisoner swaps, but:
  - Many detainees remained missing.
  - Donbas remained shattered and unresolved—a **“frozen zone.”**

References

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