Will we let Ukraine die?

[ESay]

Of course, I agree with your rational humanistic perspective. Unfortunately, the Russian-Ukraine-West conflict is political, where. "power" & "distrust" are major stumbling blocks.

It seems to me the current Kremlin leader & his cronies are paranoid about the West surrounding them geographically, and Ukraine is a major card in the poker game.
Putin was pissed that Poland & Baltic states were accepted into the EU & NATO, and nationalistic Russians feel betrayed and fearful, not trusting the West anymore.

For a while, in the 1990's and early 2000's, Russia-NATO relations were actually cooperative, although Russia struggled economically. When Russia's economy prospered in the 2000's, and former USSR countries joined the West, Putin & Russians who support him (86% now, after Ukraine conflict) regained their nationalistic "world power" attitude to stroke their egos.

Will the current relations continue for several more years?
It will come down to economics.

Well, what Russia has been doing in the last 15 years is quite understandable. Every country which considers itself as one of the major powers has to struggle for the sphere of influence – it has always been and it will always be. Everything is quite simple – either you are struggling or you are being forced out on the periphery of international affairs.

After recovering from the economic turmoil of 1990-s, Russia decided that it was the time to get back the role the USSR had played in the world (at least partially). But they have failed to understand that in order to do so, there need to be something more than fairy tales about ‘Russkiy mir’, shirtless photos of their leader, and their boastings like ‘we are going to kick your fucking asses’.

 

[PK1]

Of course, I agree with your rational humanistic perspective. Unfortunately, the Russian-Ukraine-West conflict is political, where. "power" & "distrust" are major stumbling blocks.

It seems to me the current Kremlin leader & his cronies are paranoid about the West surrounding them geographically, and Ukraine is a major card in the poker game.
Putin was pissed that Poland & Baltic states were accepted into the EU & NATO, and nationalistic Russians feel betrayed and fearful, not trusting the West anymore.

For a while, in the 1990's and early 2000's, Russia-NATO relations were actually cooperative, although Russia struggled economically. When Russia's economy prospered in the 2000's, and former USSR countries joined the West, Putin & Russians who support him (86% now, after Ukraine conflict) regained their nationalistic "world power" attitude to stroke their egos.

Will the current relations continue for several more years?
It will come down to economics.

Well, what Russia has been doing in the last 15 years is quite understandable. Every country which considers itself as one of the major powers has to struggle for the sphere of influence – it has always been and it will always be. Everything is quite simple – either you are struggling or you are being forced out on the periphery of international affairs.

After recovering from the economic turmoil of 1990-s, Russia decided that it was the time to get back the role the USSR had played in the world (at least partially). But they have failed to understand that in order to do so, there need to be something more than fairy tales about ‘Russkiy mir’, shirtless photos of their leader, and their boastings like ‘we are going to kick your fucking asses’.

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It would help if cowardly Kremlin leaders valued free speech and either did not assassinate or support (indirectly) the killing of journalists & opposition leaders.

 

[Maggdy]

Will Europe let Ukraine die?

"Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade concerning the support provided to Transcarpathia"
December 16, 2015
"Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó held talks with President of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Hanna Hopko.
Minister Szijjártó assured his Ukrainian counterpart that Hungary will continue providing both financial and humanitarian support to Transcarpathia.

We pay special attention to border area developments and to establishing new border crossing points, he said. We stand up for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is also reflected in the fact that Hungary is still fifth on the list of countries delegating the most members to OSCE’s special monitoring mission."(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade concerning the support provided to Transcarpathia