'Russia will not be brought to its knees'

Source: Deutsche Welle

The only solution to the dispute between Moscow and the West is a neutral Ukraine, argues Clifford Gaddy. The Russia expert at the Brookings Institution spoke to DW.

    

The EU has just expanded its sanctions against Russia after Sunday's referendum (11.05.2014) in eastern Ukraine. What are the next steps for the United States? Will there be more sanctions in the run up to the Ukrainian election on May 25? Or is there still room for a negotiated agreement?

What both the United States and the EU will do prior to the elections is they will repeat their threat of stronger sanctions if Russia is to interfere with the elections. Basically what's very important for the United States: The US administration is looking pretty desperately to get out of this stand-off with Russia, but they need to do it in a way that will save face.

What could such a face-saving solution look like for the US and the EU?

They want to get Russia to the negotiating table, they want to arrive at some kind of a "Finlandized" Ukraine, that is a Ukraine that is territorially intact except for Crimea, that is nominally an independent and sovereign country but that is in fact neutral. That is it certainly would not have any association with NATO.

But they need to package that as a victory for the West and of course therefore portray it as some kind of a concession on the part of Putin. This is all public relations because in fact that's exactly what Putin wants and that's his ultimate goal. His preferred goal is essentially a Ukraine that is not a platform for any sort of operations against Russia and that Russia would have pretty strong control over.

Have the sanctions not had any effect on Russia at all?

The sanctions have caused pain. Do they have an impact on the Russian economy? Absolutely they do. Stronger sanctions would cause more pain. Are they effective in changing Russia's goals, strategy, and strategic behavior? No, they are completely ineffectual. And stronger sanctions won't do it either.

Why is it that the Russians seem to be so resistant to economic pressure?

They can endure more pain than we possibly can dole out to them and more pain than these sanctions will cause us because they will. It's Russian history, it's Russian culture, it's the Russian psychology. There is basically a cult of suffering that is part of the national narrative, the national identity. Nobody has ever forced Russians to their knees and accept being submissive to an outside power. They will fight to the last man.

5/15/2014

See also
Why do they hate Russia? Why do they hate Russia?
The West is guilty of the same crimes it accuses Russia of committing.
Why do they hate Russia? Why do they hate Russia?
The West is guilty of the same crimes it accuses Russia of committing.
The situation in Ukraine reminds of Moliere's famous playTartuffe in which the main character is a selfish and manipulative person, who pursues his materialist interests under the guise of piety. Russia falls into its role of Moliere's gullible Orgon, while the west plays a convincing Tartuffe.
A procession with three holy icons and attended by thousands takes place in Zaporozhye A procession with three holy icons and attended by thousands takes place in Zaporozhye A procession with three holy icons and attended by thousands takes place in Zaporozhye A procession with three holy icons and attended by thousands takes place in Zaporozhye
On May 4, a cross procession gathering many thousands of participants took place. Three holy shrines were borne in the procession--from the north, west and the south of the Ukraine.
 His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “One of the most important concerns of our Church today is prayer and work for a resolution to what is currently happening in the Ukraine” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “One of the most important concerns of our Church today is prayer and work for a resolution to what is currently happening in the Ukraine”
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
 His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “One of the most important concerns of our Church today is prayer and work for a resolution to what is currently happening in the Ukraine” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “One of the most important concerns of our Church today is prayer and work for a resolution to what is currently happening in the Ukraine”
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
The Church must conduct pastoral work for the care of souls, pray, and make peace between people; but under no circumstances must it serve one or another political view, position, or concept.” This allows the Church to remain outside of a conflict, and carry on its work of bringing peace between the conflicting sides.
Comments
L7/24/2016 4:07 pm
When the likes of Napoleon and Hitler could not subjugate Mother Russia, what the comics in the western countries hope to achieve?
Sally Iloff11/27/2015 6:04 am
Wonderfully explained! I wouldn't say it better. It is so true that the pita to suffering is the spiritual foundation of the visual expression of the Orthodoxy. Grate job for the Orthodox church! This is what strengthen any nation - the faith, this is what strengthen all Russia and Russians. The author nailed it right.
Now I am asking myself how those political midgets Bzezinski and Voitila were claiming that after destroying communism is next term for the Orthodox church as identity spiritual keeper. They were wrong and despite all garlands on them they will be forgotten by the history. God and only Him destroyed communism, but He waived the Bride of His Son Jesus what is the Orthodox church, and Russia is the confirmation! God protect Russia and Russians as long as they protect Christianity!
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