Publications Review 13.03.2014. Situation in Ukraine

In the past few weeks Ukraine has become a throbbing centre of international attention. Tragic events have taken lives of many Ukrainian citizens while the political turmoil has brought the country to an impossible dead-end. Russia, the EU and the US are engrossed in endless talks in search of presentable way out of the stalemate. Here are some recent publications, opinions and briefs from Europe and the US on the situation in Ukraine. The more talks the better since truth is born of arguments.

German Council on foreign relations stands for peace talks and negotiations, suggesting that there is no better way to overcome the burning political dispute in Ukraine. “Berlin, Brussels and Moscow should be talking to each other, not about each other” is the opening phrase of an opinion article by Christian Wipperfürth. With the existing regional and political divide in the country there will be no positive evolution of the conflict if Russia and EU will argue with each other over the future destiny of Ukraine. The author proposes his vision of the possible solution to the existing situation.

Moving on to another council on foreign relations, the ECFR features a very short but thought-provoking article with bullet points containing possible ways of providing support to Ukraine. How can the EU impose costs on Russia? starts with a passage full of critique towards Russia “invading” Crimea and then elaborates on what should the EU do towards Ukraine and Russia under existing circumstances.

It is always good to hear an opinion of a cold-minded lawyer, especially when it comes to international agreements and treaties. Steven Blockmans from CEPS dwells upon the legal side of the Ukrainian crisis, citing the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. He highlights the inconsistency of the existing Russian conduct towards its neighbor and measures the possible damage that could come out of it.

Stressing the dire economic conditions in Ukraine, a recent article appeared on the Polish Centre for Eastern studies (OSW) webpage is another standpoint on the topic in question. The consolidation is the main goal right now because national and territorial unity depends on it. Ukraine should settle down the internal political disputes as fast as it possibly can and throw all forces to bringing the economy back on track.

The most important issue right now is to decide on a feasible and realistic solution to the current crisis. EU Institute for security studies suggests three scenarios and three sets of consequences for each of them. What will it be: a return to status quo ante, Crimean Transition or a dark future of military interventions? Nicu Popescu, the author of this alert policy brief, develops ideas.
 

Digest Editor: Maria Gurova