DIIS Report

Great Power Politics and the Ukrainian crisis

The Ukrainian crisis must be managed as a predominantly political-economic rivalry

This new report by Henrik BoesenLindbo Larsenassesses the relationship between Europe and Russia as the sum of great power reactions to the Ukrainian crisis and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Despite agreement on a no business-as-usual principle, important national nuances have arisen stemming from different historical bonds to eastern Europe and Russia (Germany, Poland, United States) or different interests in the region (France, United Kingdom).

The report calls for a recalibration of the Europe-Russia relations along three dimensions based on the great power pattern:

  • Imposing moderate sanctions and thus letting markets punish Russia, given its vulnerability to international investors.
  • Placing the EU at the forefront of implementing the Association Agreement already in place to assist Ukrainein painful but needed reforms.
  • Getting NATO to reinforce its eastern posture to promote de-escalation.
Regions
EU Ukraine Russia