An Overview of the Ukraine Crisis & Russia

By Emily E. Steck

Before we get to the crises, we must first look at Russia and Ukraine separately and together.

• 

  The Putin Doctrine

  http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139049/leon-aron/the-putin-doctrine

  Putin's main goal since his various elections (he has been both President and Prime Minister) has been to recover economic, political, and geostrategic assets lost by the Soviet state in 1991. 

• 

  Russia: An Authoritarian Regime

  http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139049/leon-aron/the-putin-doctrine

  Putin has an authoritarian regime by having control over nuclear power & oil, an unchecked military, the national media & forcing regional hegemony & international policy on its neighbors.

• 

  The New Putin Doctrine | Opinion

  http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/the-new-putin-doctrine/497316.html

  This fascinating opinion piece from the Moscow Times gives insight into how Russia views itself and the world, with propaganda punched sentences about the recent separatist movement.

• 

  Ukraine's Two Different Revolutions

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25210230

  In 2004-2005, mass protests - the Orange Revolution - brought a pro-West President Viktor Yushchenko. In the 2010 election, outrage occurred when pro-Russia Viktor Yanukovych was elected President.

• 

  A Deal That Breaks It All

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275

  With pressure from Ukrainians, President Yanukovych almost agrees to a closer trade ties with EU, but within months accepts a lifeline from Putin to buy $15 billion of debt & reduce gas prices. 

• 

  Ukraine Is Declaring Economic Independence

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275

  Violence erupts. Ukraine's President disappears. [The revolution](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Ukrainian_revolution) sparks the interim gov't to adopt the EU's reforms, cutting economic ties to Russia. 

• 

  Russia Moves In

  http://america.aljazeera.com/topics/topic/event/ukraine-uprising.html

  Calling it a coup, Russia moved troops to the Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian separatists/pro-Russian forces move into the mix. Putin has effectively declared war.

• 

  Ukraine Crisis in Maps

  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/02/27/world/europe/ukraine-divisions-crimea.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A10%22%7D

  A current visual survey of the continuing dispute, with maps showing rebel and military movement, sites of recent violence, as well as political, cultural and economic factors in the crisis.

• 

  New Leadership & Support

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275

  Ukraine elects Petro Poroshenko as President with support from the US. Poroshenko discusses peace talk with Putin, but Russia later cuts off Ukraine's gas supplies. A ceasefire is held for a week.

• 

  The "Obama" Doctrine on Foreign Affairs

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/full-text-of-president-obamas-commencement-address-at-west-point/2014/05/28/cfbcdcaa-e670-11e3-afc6-a1dd9407abcf_story.html

  The US will get involved "when our people are threatened... when the security of our allies is in danger.” If it is not a direct threat on the US, we "should not go it alone." 

• 

  Putin's Struggle Against Europe

  http://qz.com/237405/vladimir-putin-is-having-trouble-backing-out-of-the-corner-in-which-hes-trapped-himself/

  With Putin locked in on his Ukraine pro-separatists movement, the US has moved to block economic deals with Russian countries. Will the EU follow? 

• 

  Jetliner Explodes Over Ukraine; Struck by Missile

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/18/world/europe/malaysian-airlines-plane-ukraine.html

  "Malaysia Airlines 17, which was carrying 298 people onboard, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile that might have been Russian made, American officials said."

• 

  What We Know & Don't Know: Malaysia MH17 crash

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-28366904

  "News and updates as international investigators move closer to the scene of Thursday's crash, where pro-Russian rebels have been limiting access."

• 

  Kerry Says Russia Trained Separatists with Missile

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/21/world/europe/ukraine.html

  Secretary of State John Kerry stopped short of saying Russia provided the missile unit that downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

• 

  Russia's Anti-West Isolationism: Op-Ed

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/21/opinion/russias-anti-west-isolationism.html?ref=opinion

  The downing of a Malaysian Airlines plane is just the latest casualty in Russia's rhetorical war against the West and actual quasi-war with Ukraine. This op-ed puts things in perspective.

• 

  Where Does The World Go From Here?

  http://www.vox.com/2014/7/21/5922743/MH17-ukraine-rebels-control

  Stay tuned. This list will update as more events unfold.