the EU's hollow promises, Ukraine's hollow promises

Submitted by myth (Germany), Feb 20, 2014 at 14:08

The EU offered a path to an EU membership to Ukraine. They did so after the Ukraine ultimately rejected membership in NATO. That rejection is a defeat of the West and it hollows out the EU's offer. Back then the Ukraine made the equally hollow promise to stay neutral. Today Ukrainian police snipers shoot demonstrators in Kiev. The government knows, Russia will not let the EU intervene.

Obama's hollow promises passed power to Russia. This translates to very solid promises both from Russia and the Ukrainian government. The Ukrainian government's interpretation of its position changed from a vague neutral to definitely pro-Russian. Putin not only feels sure about his military deterrent. He also applies hard promises as he had earlier cut gas-supply to Ukraine and later promised price-cuts should the Ukraine stay out of the EU.

I understand there is no substance to the soft power of the EU in the absence of hard power from NATO. Negotiations prove ineffective against rifles or demonstrated control over energy supply. Confront Putin with hollow promises and Putin will always win. Protesters in Kiev learn this within days now. When will Western politicians learn?

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