The conflict between the Ukrainian government and the country's ethnic Russian population is threatening Ukraine’s presidential vote this weekend.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine have declared independence, taken over government buildings and proclaimed the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). They say the Ukrainian elections are illegitimate in their area because they are no longer a part of Ukraine.
“We believe it is incorrect for what is now our neighboring country to conduct presidential elections here,” said Denis Pushilin, chairman of the DPR Council. “These elections are planned by the Kiev pseudo-authorities. But we don’t consider it proper if they go forward.”
While the DPR says their people are not shutting down election centers or intimidating voters, they don’t deny their connection with the groups that do.
“People come and ask, can we shut down this commission? And we don’t particularly resist,” said Pushilin. “We don’t forbid them from doing this. We don’t stop them. And they go and go and close them.”
So far, the voter intimidation campaign seems to be working, and many say they will stay away from the polls out of fear of violence.
“It’s war here,” said Svetlana Antonova, who originally wanted to be an election worker, but now won’t even vote. “And it is possible there will be people with automatic guns. I’m just a woman and I’m scared.”
Warm up questions
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Where is Ukraine? What country is their neighbor to the east?
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Why is it important for a democratic country to hold legitimate elections that ensure every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot free of intimidation and corruption?
Discussion questions
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Why are the pro-Russian separatists trying to stop the vote for a new president of Ukraine?
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Do you think that boycotting the vote for a new president and scaring others into not voting, pro-Russian separatists will achieve their goal?
Writing prompt
Looking back on the history of the United States, consider that women and many African Americans were not able to vote for over 100 years after the country was born. What were some of the challenges they faced as they fought for the right to vote? Do you think it was worth it? Why or why not? How do you think their participation in elections has changed our government? Do you think it is important for Ukrainians to vote on Sunday? What message will it send if they do? What message will it send if they don’t? Is voting so important that it is worth the risk of being physically harmed or even killed? Explain your answer.
