The environment in Eastern Europe is not good

President Vladimir Putin keeps playing tough ball on Ukraine. And he is also raising the stakes in his response to the Western sanctions. Both decisions are serious challenges to peace in Europe.

It would be a mistake to take peace in our continent for granted.

But even if this only part of a gambling approach to international relations, we should not forget that the decisions that are now being implemented carry important economic costs. And we should also keep in mind that when the political leaders are ready to sacrifice the economy that means a lot. One should then redouble the security precautions. Better be alert and prepared. 

Eastern Ukraine

The de-escalation in Eastern Ukraine is very urgent. And it should start by looking at the most recent events with a clear sense of proportions. The occupations of public buildings in a few Eastern cities are the work of very small groups of individuals. They might get a lot of media attention and create serious concerns in many chancelleries, but the truth is that there is no massive support, at least up to now, for that kind of actions. For the time being this is a law and order issue and not a popular sea change. It should be dealt with by the Kiev authorities with measured force. That´s the call one has to make at this time of greater risks. 

Russia and NATO

Russia is still obsessed with NATO. The Russian leaders cannot understand that today´s NATO is very different from the Cold War organisation. In result, they still believe that NATO is a race against Russian interests. That´s the way they look at events in Ukraine, for instance. They see the West´s hand everywhere and always against Moscow´s strategic security interests.

From our side, we have the responsibility to help the Russians to overcome such a vision of today’s world. The dialogue and the partnership with Russia needs to be re-thought very carefully and with great attention to the concerns that feed the other side´s fears.