Showdown over Ukraine » American University in Moscow

Published 6-03-2014, 04:11

The world is waiting for Vladimir Putin to make another move or relax tensions in Eastern Ukraine. We look at the options for the US and the European Union to defuse what could be a dangerous crisis. Also, China declares "war" on pollution.

Host:

Warren Olney

Produced by:

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Banner image: US Secretary of State John Kerry (2nd R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2nd L) in Paris, France, on March 5, 2014. Official State Department photo

What Will Vladimir Putin Do Next? (1:00PM)

American and European diplomats are trying to ease a potentially dangerous crisis, claiming Russia has illegally taken control of Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin insists he hasn't sent any troops in yet — and that what's illegal is Ukraine's new regime, which overthrew an elected leader. The US has offered a $1 billion loan guarantee. The EU announced an aid package worth $15 billion in cash and infrastructure assistance. The IMF is already negotiating terms in Kiev. What the US wants most is for Russian diplomats to meet with those from Ukraine. Does Putin already have what he wants or has he made a strategic error? As the US and European Union try to craft a response, is Germany on board? We look at the economic, diplomatic and military options for an uneasy alliance against a Russian President with a very different view of the world.

Guests:

Jay Solomon: Wall Street Journal, @WSJSolomon
Sophia Opatska: Ukrainian Catholic University, @_LvBS_
Ben Judah: author, @b_judah
Charles Kupchan: Georgetown University, @CFR_org
Edward Lozansky: American University in Moscow, @EdwardLozansky
Nicholas Burns: Harvard Kennedy School of Government, @RNicholasBurns

Links:

www.kcrw.com