MORE UPDATES:
Russia cares more about losing Ukraine than Europe cares about gaining it – Steven Pifer, The Moscow Times
@strobetalbott: Mayhem in Kyiv last week: 6-minte high-def video worth watching on computer screen. http://t.co/r2EQ4fizMM
— Strobe Talbott (@strobetalbott) February 24, 2014
#Ukraine‘s political upheaval is most dramatic “black swan” event since Arab Spring 3+ yrs ago & its consequences are just as unpredictable
— Strobe Talbott (@strobetalbott) February 24, 2014
Find out how Ukraine fits into Steve Pifer and Fiona Hill’s “Black Swan” scenario, “Putin’s Russia Goes Rogue.”
UPDATES:
• Steven Pifer appeared on WSJ Live to discuss signs of Ukraine peace.
• Pifer wrote on CNN.com
• Pifer appeared on WBUR’s “On Point with Tom Ashbrook” on Thursday.
• Fiona Hill talked on Fox News about Russia and the West struggling for influence in Ukraine.
• Pifer wrote about the geopolitical fight between Russia and the West in Ukraine.
(February 19) Riot police moved against protesters in the streets of Kyiv as violence escalates in Ukraine. Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, writes that despite the existence of an “atmosphere for a possible political dialogue between President Yanukovych and the opposition to seek a peaceful settlement … everything came undone on February 18. The images from Independence Square, he says, “show a war zone.”
Western influence can only help resolve the crisis in Ukraine. Sanctions offer no magic bullet. The main responsibility for finding a solution rests with Ukrainians, first and foremost Yanukovych. But if the West does not put its leverage in play now, the situation may quickly deteriorate to the point where the West has no ability to affect the crisis. (read the full piece here.)
On Bloomberg TV this morning, Pifer said that the crackdown is going to cause a public backlash against the government and make “nearly impossible any kind of a dialogue that might help Ukraine get out of this crisis.” He said that while the responsibility for what is happening lies with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Russian President Vladimir Putin “is probably pleased with what is going on in Kyiv.” Watch:
Pifer appeared on PBS NewsHour last night to discuss the situation. Watch below:
Here is what Pifer and others are tweeting about it:
Believe #Ukraine govt use of force will lead US govt to apply new visa, possible financial sanctions shortly. EU also should act.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) February 19, 2014
.@carlbildt EU, US should specify and apply sanctions now. Risk in waiting is that West may lose any ability to influence situation.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) February 18, 2014
.@dima7b Agree West should impose visa/financial sanctions. May help but doubt they will solve crisis. Ukraine needs some process to settle.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) February 18, 2014
What’s happening in Ukraine is tragic and an outrage. Civil war comes back to Europe after a 15 year hiatus. Big test of US and EU ahead.
— Tom Wright (@thomaswright08) February 18, 2014
This evening’s police attack on Maidan unconscionable. Yanukovych killing any chance at dialogue to settle #Ukraine crisis peacefully.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) February 18, 2014
Very sad day in Kyiv. All sides need to stop violence — before situation in #Ukraine spins completely out of anyone’s control.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) February 18, 2014
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Commentary
UPDATED: What Brookings Scholars Are Saying about Ukraine
February 24, 2014