... disputes.
A number of key issues and disputes are already proving difficult to resolve, not even considering the added problem caused by accusations of mutual election interference. These include security concerns and disputes revolving around NATO and European Union enlargement, Russian actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, as well as the nature of the conventional and nuclear arms race that has been escalating at least since the turn of the 21st century.
In June 2017, Moscow canceled talks with Washington in protest against the new political ...
... called for Moscow to regard the right to travel abroad as a fundamental human right. Today we perceive the freedom of travel as a milestone achievement of contemporary Russia. However, our western partners keep denying Russian citizens who reside in Crimea their right to apply to their respective embassies for visas. Does either the United States or the European Union bear a grudge against these people? Are they in any way guilty because they chose to live in Russia, not in Ukraine? One can at least try to name a few reasons to impose sanctions against state officials, but how can the travel ban slapped ...
...
structural reforms
. The economic growth resumed in 2010 at about 5% a year, but in 2012 froze at 0.3%
[3]
. The situation in the country has become critical, and the beginning of military operations in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions coupled with Crimea’s reunification with Russia only exacerbated it.
Crimea and Donbass: The price paid
In purely economic terms, the impact of Crimea’s secession from Ukraine has been relatively insignificant, and is estimated at about 3.8% of total GDP ...
... peoples who have been linked to Russia for centuries. It is also obvious that the entire geographic area of the former USSR is a sphere of vital interest to us." http://www.nato.int/docu/review/1993/9301-1.htm Yet, excepting the special case of Crimea, there has never been any indication that Russia has been interested in annexing Ukraine, even eastern Ukraine or, for that matter, any of the former Soviet republics. Why should it? Moscow does regard a hostile Ukraine as unacceptable, but this ...
... southwestern neighbour would come at an enormous cost to Russia, not only because of the West’s potentially tough response, but, primarily, in material terms — while popular support for the move is less than evident. In essence, a repetition of the Crimean scenario is possible, but unlikely.
The most likely outcome is far-reaching regional autonomy, perhaps in the context of the federalisation of the state. But no-one knows how, or when, these moves should take place or who should initiate them....
... think tanks in China have kindly agreed to share their comments on the Ukrainian crisis, the implications of sanctions against Russia, Russian policies in this area, and the position of the Chinese government.
Jian Yi
, expert on Russian diplomacy:
Crimea’s independence or its accession to Russia is the worst-case scenario
Zhang Hong
, an expert on Ukraine:
Russia cannot count on Chinese support over the issue of a referendum on the independence of Crimea
Li Yajun
, an expert of Russian policies: ...
... say the least. This hypocrisy is not going to help anyone; above all, it will not help Ukraine.
The reality is that Ukraine is not in a position to resolve the crisis without an assistance from the outside. Only coordinated actions by Russia and the European Union, together with other committed partners, can rescue Ukraine. It means that we should put aside our disagreements on Crimea and put together a Contact Group at the level of Foreign Ministers of Russia, major European powers and the United States. The Group should be convened urgently with no preconditions; its sole goal should be decide how to assist Ukraine in the ...
Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea has enraged the West. His lack of openness to any compromise has forced it to launch a — weak — sanctions regime. Putin finds this ‘unacceptable’ and threatens retaliation.
In yesterday’s speech — which many ...
Having invaded Crimea, set up a puppet government and organised a sham referendum, now Vladimir Putin will have to facilitate the region’s accession to Russia. There is little doubt this is going to happen swiftly. Any different reaction to yesterday’s clear,...
... the West, Russia is signalling that it is ready for a dialogue.
The dialogue will be anything but easy, because the demand to go back to the accord of February 21 can hardly be met. But Ukraine, for its part, will have to make serious concessions on Crimea, a message the European Union and the United States will no doubt deliver to Kiev. Most likely, Crimea will become an entity with a broad level of autonomy, practically a confederation. This is the most desirable outcome. And considering the presence of Russian troops ...
