Three reasons why the West should not forget about Ukraine

Ukraine was already falling off the West’s radar in the summer of 2015. In east Ukraine, major military offensives were prepared and trip-wires almost crossed; but there was no major outbreak of fighting comparable to the bloodshed of 2014. Something resembling a ceasefire was in place from September, albeit one with frequent violations and casualties. And while it may be in danger of collapsing once again, the migration crisis has increasingly preoccupied European leaders, even before the Paris atrocities in November 2015 led to a radical shift in focus.

But even if the West now has other priorities, Ukraine is still part of the bigger picture. It cannot be pushed into the background or left on the back-burner. There are at least three reasons why:

+ Trading with Russia over Islamic State won’t work
+ Consigning Ukraine to a Russian ‘sphere of influence’ won’t work
+ It’s too early for ‘Ukraine fatigue 2.0’

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

ESO: Background information: [Opinion] The Lure of Returning to Business as Usual With Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-lure-of-returning-to-business-as-usual-with-russia/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 14.12.15: Ukraine’s Fragile Status Quo http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62269

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