Fearing Misunderstanding Russia

"[Russia's annexation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine destabilization] called the whole of the European peaceful order into question."
"This isn't just about Ukraine This is about Moldova, this is about Georgia, and if this continues then one will have to ask about Serbia and one will have to ask about the countries of the Western Balkans."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Russian tanks on a road to Donetsk. Russian officials deny plans to intervene in eastern Ukraine. Credit Dimitar Dilkoff/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

At the Sydney (Australia) Lowry Institute for International Policy Studies Mrs. Merkel stated her fears of the creation of a Cold War zone of influence in Europe. Through sheer intimidation she could foresee Moscow demanding consultation on European decision-making that would otherwise be of no account to Russia.

The lack of a firm, viable challenge to Moscow over the issue of Ukraine and Crimea has given silent permission to Russia to continue threatening European stability. And with those threats, their diffuse and increasing incidence on the increase, comes the danger of the possibility of a far-ranging destabilization, one which could conclude in a global catastrophe.

Russian recklessness on the world political stage as exemplified by Russian President Vladimir Putin's casual and insouciant flouting of international rules of conduct by nations adjoining other nations, and his flaunting of Russian excesses and imperial aspirations hover on the edge of a challenge that will draw in all of Europe in an exchange that can only bode ill for the world.

All eyes in Europe swivel nervously toward Ukraine where the country seems poised on the verge of divorce; the Russia-centric east taking leave of the Europe-centric remainder governed by Kyiv and scorned by Moscow which has taken great pleasure in inciting ethnic Russian Ukrainians to civil war, lending its military, training and equipment to the effort of extending Russian territory.

President Putin has made it abundantly clear he would never permit Ukraine to resolve its internal crisis stirred by external measures through the use of force. The use of force must be seen as the entitled province of Russia. In the same token he finally desisted from the constant denials of making weapons available to separatists.

"Anyone who is waging a war they believe is just will find weapons" he stated with the authority vested in him by his wild popularity in Russia which his unpopularity outside of Russia has simply been favourable to increasing his appeal as the Russian strongman defying world opinion which purportedly knows nothing of Russia and cares less.