While the US President, Barack Obama, is due to announce a new range of sanctions against Russia later today, the situation in Ukraine is rapidly getting worse. Russian-backed fighters still hold seven OSCE monitors and three SBU officers hostage, in addition to others including the Ukrainian journalist Irma Krat. Furthermore, the violence has spread further […]
Russian-backed separatists “paraded” their prisoners through Slavyansk today, ultimately releasing one international observer on medical grounds. Three more Ukrainian servicemen, and the regional TV and radio headquarters in Donetsk, were captured by the gunmen. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help […]
After OSCE Monitors were kidnapped by Russian-backed gunmen in Slavyansk, and after Russian aircraft have repeatedly violated Ukrainian airspace, both the G-7 and the EU say they have come up with plans for new sanctions against Russia. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest […]
Staunton, April 25 – Sometimes satire is the only vehicle available to express one’s outrage at what is going on and one’s hope that the current situation can be changed for the better. And Vadim Shtepa, one of Russia’s most prominent regionalists, has used it to imagine how what Putin is doing now might land […]
Staunton, April 25 – Vladimir Putin’s promotion of the idea that Moscow must preserve “the Russian world” has already led to the transformation of his country into something very different than it was before, but the shakiness of its three main foundations is such that it is unlikely to survive for very long, according to […]
Last night, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, threatened further sanctions on Russia, apportioning full blame to them for the ongoing deterioration of the Ukrainian crisis. Warning of the economic damage that could be wrought by a Western response to Russia’s actions, Kerry said that: The window to change course is closing. If Russia […]
Staunton, April 24 – It is notoriously easier to spark a protest movement than to control its direction thereafter or to ensure that it does not become a model for others one does not want to be involved in. That risk is now on display in eastern Ukraine where pro-Moscow activists are not only seeking […]
Staunton, April 24 – Vladimir Putin has developed “a new kind of war” in Ukraine, one that has achieved many of his goals including the partial dismemberment of that country and the creation of a new region on the basis of his perception of “new international conditions,” according to Yuliya Latynina. In an article in […]
Russia has significantly escalated its rhetoric, warning Ukraine that there will be consequences if it continues it’s “anti-terror operation” and announcing military drills to combat the “Ukrainian military machine.” Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing […]
Staunton, April 23 – Russians want to live well in a strong state, according to discussions at the Valdai Club last fall. But an economist says Moscow’s failure to modernize the economy could soon force a choice between guns and butter – or even put Russia at risk having less of both. That Russians should want […]
