Steven Pifer

When Ukraine got this [hosting role for Euro 2012], people were saying it would be a showcase, to show its democracy, that its economy was growing, that it was part of Europe. Now that it has arrived, the price gouging, corruption, the perception that Ukraine is going back on democracy and the decision by some European leaders to stay away is going to put a rain cloud over their parade.

Both the United States and Europe think NATO is going to remain relevant for the security of the transatlantic region. Although my guess is that after Afghanistan enthusiasm both in Europe and the United States for that kind of operation in the future is going to be pretty limited, I think within NATO countries there's a sense that NATO is a useful tool, there is no organization in the world that is as good as NATO at organizing and conducting multinational military operations.

I think you'll see a more transactional relationship [between Russia and the United States. Putin may cooperate,] but it will be, `If I do this for you, what do I get?'

Once [Russia] joins the WTO, this is going to be a congressional sanction on U.S. companies. You may be unhappy with Russian behavior on other issues, but I can't see anything that continued coverage by Jackson-Vanik is achieving for us.

Mr. Putin faces serious economic and political questions at home. He may need a different set of political skills than have been necessary in the past.