War in Ukraine

John McCain, Chris Murphy Travel to Kyiv

Senator McCain to Speak at the Council on Thursday Wednesday, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released a statement condemning the use of violence by Ukrainian authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv, Ukraine. His statement ended with: “Those brave men and women should know that they are not alone. Their friends across the world stand in […]

Factsheet: Unrest in Ukraine

By Samantha Lasley

Ukraine, a nation of 46 million people, bordering four European Union countries—Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania—stands at a pivotal moment in history as it chooses between the East and the West.  AT the Vilnius Summit Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych announced that he was not going to sign an Association Agreement for far-reaching political and trade […]

Hagel Warns Ukrainian Defense Minister Not to Use Military Forces Against Civilians

By Department of State

Today US Defense Secretary Hagel spoke by phone with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebedyev.

Ukraine Crisis in Tweets

Atlantic Council Vice President Damon Wilson shares his insightful comments and insider knowledge on the developing situation in Ukraine via Twitter. Below is a live feed of some of his tweets, mentions, and retweets.

Cancelled: Dec. 12 Event with Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt

Due to ongoing developments in Ukraine, Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt has postponed his DC travel and will remain in Kyiv. Accordingly, tomorrow’s public event “US Response to Ukraine’s S.O.S.” has been cancelled.

Ukraine on the Edge

By Sabine Freizer

Need for Dialogue on Institutional Reform Too many of the statements being made by foreign officials on the political crisis growing in Ukraine over the past three weeks have described it as a clash between pro-Western values and Russian imperialism. But talking about values will not provide a solution to the dispute. Instead all parties […]

The Eastern Partnership Summit: What’s Next?

To discuss the challenges that remain for European leaders in continuing to develop the relationship with the eastern partners after Vilnius, and to articulate a vision for transatlantic cooperation on the Eastern Partnership going forward, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program hosted a members’ conference call with H.E. Linas Linkevičius, minister of foreign affairs of […]

Putin Orders Strong Military Presence in Arctic

By Reuters and RIA Novosti

From Thomas Grove, Reuters:  President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to increase its focus on the Arctic and finish plans by the end of the year to upgrade military bases in the resource-rich region where world powers jostle for control.

Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus

By Defense News and RIA Novosti

From Jaroslaw Adamowski, Defense News:  Russia has deployed the first four Su-27SM3 fighter jets to Belarus. The aircraft will be stationed at the 61st air base in Baranavichi, reported local daily Belorusskiy Partizan.

Ukraine, the EU, and Russia: Win, Don’t Whine

By Matthew Bryza

It is understandable that European leaders are angry with Russia for spoiling the EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius by pressuring Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to “suspend” signing of Ukraine’s EU Association Agreement.  Moscow’s hardball tactics created a diplomatic debacle for the EU, as President Putin (yet again) violated his self-serving maxim of noninterference in […]