| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
EU members did not take long-standing Russian positions seriously, assumed any neighbour would be eager to sign up for 'more Europe', and have failed to generate a viable reply to Moscow's intervention. Events in Ukraine represent the most significant security crisis in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Geneva accord of April this year, intended to secure de-escalation, has been violated by Russia, by 'local' forces in eastern Ukraine and, arguably, by the Ukrainian government itself. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Russia will defend its interests in eastern Ukraine, if necessary with attacks similar to those in Georgia in 2008. Small US deployments are occurring in the Baltics and Poland. Russia has resumed military exercises near the frontier with Ukraine. The escalatory dynamic is clear.
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