Russia’s firing on and then seizing three Ukrainian navy vessels attempting to pass through the Kerch Straits has raised fears of direct confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, following Russia’s intervention in the separation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The blocking of Ukrainian naval access to the Sea of Azov has sparked […]
Tag Archives: CRIMEA
Russia’s political leaders appear to be taking a particular pleasure in the planned and co-ordinated dismemberment of Ukraine. As with any unprincipled thug, Russias only constraint is ensuring it remains internationally unaccountable while continuing to dismantle its vulnerable neighbour. Russia is now breaking off pieces of the country at will and ignoring international protestations while […]
United States political leaders bluster, but Russia continues to be unmoved by their protestations over its annexation of Crimea and the massing of troops along Ukraines border. Long having believed itself the worlds only superpower, the US is now being delivered a lesson in real politik, if not humility. Estonia, which has a large Russian […]
Lining up with death and taxes, the outcome of the weekends vote in Crimea on whether or not to join Russia was certain before the event. Somewhat remarkably — with about two-thirds of Crimeas population being ethnic Russian and the other third being openly opposed to joining Russia — the vote to join Russia was […]
The immediacy of events in Ukraine, including the recent the pro-Ukranian demonstrations in Kiev and pro-Russian demonstrations in eastern Donetsk, have blinkered much understanding of the unfolding crisis to Moscows south. The triumphalism that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union left many Western observers blind to an underlying architecture predicated on Russias deeply felt […]
That Russia and Ukraine have come to the brink of war in just a few short days is obvious enough. What is less obvious is not the quickly evolving events that might unfold over the next days and weeks but Russias end game. As with its negotiations over the Syrian civil war last September, Russia […]