Carnegie Moscow Center
Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko makes a powerful case for a European future for his country, and calls for meaningful political and economic reforms.
The ongoing turmoil in Ukraine is shifting European and American attitudes toward Moscow. The West is perceiving the Ukrainian crisis through the prism of Russia.
Dealing with Ukraine is a test for Russia, as well as for Europe and the United States. Moscow and the Western capitals need to stay out of Ukraine as much as possible, allowing the Ukrainian people to define the country’s national identity.
The European Union has proven powerless to prevent a tragic spiral of lethal violence in Kyiv. In addition, its image amongst protestors has suffered. Now the key challenge for the EU is to begin shaping the conditions that will facilitate deeper democratic reform in Ukraine.
Ukrainians on the Maidan and in a growing number of cities across the country are standing in opposition to backsliding into autocracy, in defense of fundamental democratic values, and in defiance of a corrupt post-Soviet system.
Ukraine is in for a long ordeal that has just begun. The previously dormant segments of Ukrainian society are getting involved in the protests. Meanwhile, the regime is ready to defend itself by any available means.
Russia is demanding to be treated as an equal partner in its relationship with the EU, but Brussels had long ignored this shift, and EU-Russian relations have stagnated as a result. It is time for a fundamental rethink of the EU’s Russia policy.
Since the crisis in Ukraine is climaxing, the Munich Security Conference will have to deal with the Ukrainian question. The Munich event that was supposed to be devoted to security problems takes on a larger significance—it is supposed to raise the question of civilizational split.
British Prime Minister David Cameron used Poles as an example of people who abuse UK’s social help and proposed restricting the freedom of movement within the EU. Though Cameron might have problems at home, he should not destroy the unity of Europeans, who still believe in the EU.
The Eurasian Economic Union had start negotiations with the EU on specific ways to liberalize mutual economic transactions without compromising its statehood. The forthcoming EU-Russia Summit is an opportune venue to launch such an idea.