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IT Sunday: War in Ukraine – how did we get to this point?

Good morning and welcome to this St Patrick’s weekend IT Sunday, our selection of some of the best journalism from The Irish Times for subscribers.

And still the fighting continues. We are now three weeks into the Russian assault on Ukraine and cities along the county’s eastern border are being reduced to rubble.

In one such city, Mariupol, more than 400,000 people have been trapped for more than two weeks, sheltering from heavy bombardment that has severed electricity, heating and water, according to local authorities.

Diplomats from both sides are talking but the fighting, the bombing and the killing continues.

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In trying to make sense of how we got here, Fintan O'Toole this weekend says the invasion of Ukraine was based in part on a miscalculation by Russian president Vladimir Putin of the extent of the support from his cheerleaders in the West.

“Let’s go back just five years and stand in awe at the breathtaking triumph of Vladimir Putin in the West. In 2017, the man who has now made a catastrophically stupid mistake looked like a strategic genius. He had helped to push both of his adversaries, the United States and the European Union, close to collapse.”

One striking sub-text of the conflict is the roles of the two leaders. In his column, Oliver Callan says however performative the methods used by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to inspire his country might be, the results are wholly real.

“The Ukraine war could have gone as an invasion by a vastly superior military power often does; its government collapsing and fleeing along with hopeless civilians fighting among themselves. Instead, a steely nation of Ukrainians, used to disappointment over their presidents, have unified, defended and maintained their pride amid dreadful grief. The difference has quite simply been the belting force of Zelenskiy’s personality.”

In terms of responses to the conflict, Kathy Sheridan observes that we are still "talking out of both sides of our mouths. . . Is anyone still not aware that oil revenue is funding that war?" A significant response to the invasion would require significant changes to how we live, and as Sheridan notes, we are not there yet.

At home, Cliff Taylor notes that the search is already on for a "magic answer" to protect us from higher energy prices amid rising costs and against the backdrop of the most extreme uncertainty. Where everyone agreed, more or less, with what needed to be done during Covid-19 – this time, things are less clear-cut.

“The Irish economy has rebounded remarkably from the Covid-19 lockdowns. Managing the economy was not easy during Covid-19 – huge decisions were taken on vital social and business supports – but it was clear what needed to be done and borrowed money was very cheap. And there was consensus. Now the answers about what should be done are less clear-cut. The war has exacerbated problems and challenges which were already lurking in the background – particularly in relation to energy costs and security and the transition to renewables.”

In his column this week David McWilliams focuses on a key cost of living issue for Ireland that he says nothing to do with Vladimir Putin, sanctions or supply pressures for fossil fuels: the cost of land. How is it, McWilliams asks, that the least densely populated country in western Europe has the highest land prices?

“It is essential not to forget that the most stubborn contributor to the cost of living in Ireland has nothing to do with Putin, Kyiv or sanctions and has everything to do with our political unwillingness to be serious about house and land prices.

“The residential property price index compiled by the CSO indicates that prices were up 14.8 per cent in the 12 months to January – with prices in Dublin up 13.6 per cent and those outside of Dublin rising 16 per cent. To put this in context, though prices have risen 115.6 per cent from their trough in early 2013, the national index remains just 3.3 per cent below the peak witnessed in 2007.

“Ireland is the least densely populated country in western Europe with amongst the highest land prices. This makes no sense and reflects the artificial inflation of land prices, which enriches landowners and rewards land hoarding.”

On the subject of property prices, Fiona Reddan looks at how the newly launched revamp of a State-sponsored home loan is expected to make it easier for single people – including those who are divorced or separated – to buy their own home. "How will the scheme work, and will it really achieve this goal?"

Finally, in her advice column this weekend, Roe McDermott deals with a query from a woman in her 30s floored after her partner – a man she expected to marry – left because he was bored. "Now I can't even really think about dating, and am wondering if maybe my ex was right: if I relied on him and the relationship to motivate me?"

As always there is much more on irishtimes.com, including extensive coverage of all the weekend's Six Nation's matches including match reports and analysis from Ireland's securing of the Triple Crown. And don't forget you can check out more articles exclusively available for Irish Times subscribers here.

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Stay safe and well.

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