Category Archives: Vladimir Putin
Ukraine at 24
David Marples On its 24th anniversary, Ukraine’s problems continue to multiply: the GDP continues to fall, if not as catastrophically as last year and the possibility of default in payment of debts remains high; the Minsk-2 ceasefire barely holds in
Ukraine at 24
David Marples On its 24th anniversary, Ukraine’s problems continue to multiply: the GDP continues to fall, if not as catastrophically as last year and the possibility of default in payment of debts remains high; the Minsk-2 ceasefire barely holds in
West Hangs Ukraine Out To Dry
Marco Levytsky Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is offering “special status” to areas in eastern Ukraine; however he is ruling out federalization and says Ukraine will remain united. But what this “special status” actually means is unclear and it also poses
West Hangs Ukraine Out To Dry
Marco Levytsky Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is offering “special status” to areas in eastern Ukraine; however he is ruling out federalization and says Ukraine will remain united. But what this “special status” actually means is unclear and it also poses
Assessing Ukraine’s Options
David Marples We have entered a new stage in the lengthy conflict in Eastern Ukraine, one in which regular Russian army units have provided direct manpower and materiel to the so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The latter were
Assessing Ukraine’s Options
David Marples We have entered a new stage in the lengthy conflict in Eastern Ukraine, one in which regular Russian army units have provided direct manpower and materiel to the so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The latter were
THE AFTERMATH OF MH17
David Marples The massive outpouring of media commentary and analysis following the tragic loss of lives on the downed Malaysian airliner has given much pause for thought. Three items in attracted my attention, one from the perspective of misreading the situation,
THE AFTERMATH OF MH17
David Marples The massive outpouring of media commentary and analysis following the tragic loss of lives on the downed Malaysian airliner has given much pause for thought. Three items in attracted my attention, one from the perspective of misreading the situation,
After Slaviansk
David Marples The loss of Slaviansk to Ukrainian government forces has placed the so-called people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DNR and LNR) in a quandary. Can the war be continued from the main oblast centers and, if so, for
After Slaviansk
David Marples The loss of Slaviansk to Ukrainian government forces has placed the so-called people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DNR and LNR) in a quandary. Can the war be continued from the main oblast centers and, if so, for
The Kremlin’s Propaganda Coup in Donetsk
Halya Coynash Russian President Vladimir Putin must be feeling very pleased with himself. The EU has all but retreated behind calls for ‘frank and open dialogue’ while US expressions of concern about Chechen and other foreign fighters entering Ukraine from Russia for the moment
The Kremlin’s Propaganda Coup in Donetsk
Halya Coynash Russian President Vladimir Putin must be feeling very pleased with himself. The EU has all but retreated behind calls for ‘frank and open dialogue’ while US expressions of concern about Chechen and other foreign fighters entering Ukraine from Russia for the moment
EuroMaidan and Crimea: Recapping Five Months of Change in Ukraine
David Marples From November 2013 to the end of February 2014, protesters gathered on Kyiv’s central square, in a series of demonstrations known as the Euro-Maidan. These protests have involved several distinct stages, culminating in what some analysts have called
EuroMaidan and Crimea: Recapping Five Months of Change in Ukraine
David Marples From November 2013 to the end of February 2014, protesters gathered on Kyiv’s central square, in a series of demonstrations known as the Euro-Maidan. These protests have involved several distinct stages, culminating in what some analysts have called
INSIDE THE HEAD OF V.V. PUTIN
David Marples On March 2, Russian troops invaded Crimea, an autonomous republic of Ukraine in which 15,000 sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are stationed. What was the Russian president’s thinking in escalating a world crisis over the past
INSIDE THE HEAD OF V.V. PUTIN
David Marples On March 2, Russian troops invaded Crimea, an autonomous republic of Ukraine in which 15,000 sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are stationed. What was the Russian president’s thinking in escalating a world crisis over the past
The Gas Question in the Context of EuroMaidan Events in Ukraine
Anastasiya Stelmakh November 28, 2013 should have been the turning point for Ukraine. President Viktor Yanukovych, by signing the Association Agreement at the Vilnius Summit, could have been added as a glorious Euro-integrator in the history of independent Ukraine. But
The Gas Question in the Context of EuroMaidan Events in Ukraine
Anastasiya Stelmakh November 28, 2013 should have been the turning point for Ukraine. President Viktor Yanukovych, by signing the Association Agreement at the Vilnius Summit, could have been added as a glorious Euro-integrator in the history of independent Ukraine. But
To Ukraine, with Love [or] Russia’s Comedy Show
Mykola Riabchuk Last week, Russian president Vladimir Putin set another record, answering citizens’ questions in a televised Q & A session for five hours. The show was staged well, so that no uncomfortable or unexpected questions could offend the tsar’s
To Ukraine, with Love [or] Russia’s Comedy Show
Mykola Riabchuk Last week, Russian president Vladimir Putin set another record, answering citizens’ questions in a televised Q & A session for five hours. The show was staged well, so that no uncomfortable or unexpected questions could offend the tsar’s
Current Politics in Ukraine 