The Proof in Putin's Pudding

The Crisis that erupted in the Ukraine over the last few months has left many perplexed and bewildered. In the beginning, television viewers and news readers followed the coverage and waited for the explanations, that we hoped would unravel this story further. We read and we watched and we waited. We stood flabbergasted in our utter confusion as we closely anticipated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move. The result of this continuous surveillance of the crisis has resulted in conclusive evidence in which we can begin to make sense of the burning questions, why the Crimea? Why now? Lastly we need to ask ourselves, what about foreign policy? To begin to understand and answer such questions, we must look at some history regarding president Putin.

In recent years, President Putin has “apparently” appeared to have changed his attitude thus, his relationship with the West and European Union. This reconciliation seemingly was headed towards a positive relationship between the three regarding their Foreign Policies. Despite this “playing nice,” the recent events indicate an otherwise different underlying motives of the former KGB officer. I would argue Putin’s reconciliation was all part of a much bigger plan that saw opportunity during the recent crisis. These motivating factors lie within his romanticized vision of Russia’s return to being the great and united “Mother Russia,” like it was prior to the iron curtain falling. Putin wants to isolate Russia from the West and the liberalism that comes with it and revamp Russia under the traditions and values of a Eurasian society, not yet spoiled by the individualistic, capitalistic, commercial and democracy ridden plague known to him as the western state of mind. Putin is no longe...

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...ght on their distinct moral and worldly views that neither respect nor favor the future successful endeavors of the US. In regards to the EU, I think we can view this move of Russia as the ultimate sign that they are no longer abiding by the rules of international law and have set a tone of warning for future countries. Russia annexed a country trying to join Russia and didn’t regard global economic cooperation once so ever. They made this move despite international condemnations and don’t seem to be phased by the slap on the wrist sanctions we have issued. This is sending a signal of negativity for other former Soviet Union member countries wanting to join the EU. This was a huge breech of trust and international law that will prepare and raise awareness in us that if we eventually mend this relationship, we can try and forgive but we certainly shouldn’t forget.