Aggression and Response
Russia, Ukraine, and the West
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Even after the ceasefire negotiated in Minsk, Russia’s goals in Ukraine remain unclear. Is it just about the territory occupied so far, Ukrainian membership in the European Union and NATO, or a comprehensive confrontation with the West? Since the West has decided not to help Ukraine militarily, Russia holds the better cards in the short term if its goals are limited. However, Moscow cannot win a prolonged conflict with the West. In addition to economic vulnerability, the global political changes that the Kremlin has set in motion are also undermining Russia’s position. Nevertheless, the United States and the EU member states must quickly agree on a common policy of containment in order to prevent further territorial expansion into Ukraine.
(Osteuropa 1-2/2015, pp. 57–64)