Ivan Krastev: We Should Not Simplify Ukraine as East versus West

Opinions | May 30, 2014, Friday // 11:05|  views

Ivan Krastev. Photo by 24 Chasa

The prominent Bulgarian political scientist and head of the Center for Liberal Strategies, Ivan Krastev, shared his views on the crisis in Ukraine.

"What was a primarily anti-oligarchy movement, in fact served to put oligarchs on the front seats, both for President and in the local councils. In the unfolding violence and instability, they turned out to be the only guarantee for keeping the country together", Krastev said regarding the Maidan protests, during a discussion with Polish dissident and current journalist Adam Michnik at the Sofia University.

"We should not fall into the trap of looking at Ukraine simply as a battleground between East and West. If you ask a Ukrainian, the situation is much more complex. Every attempt to over-rationalize events without considering the emotional context, risks falling into conspiracy theories", Krastev noted.

According to the political analyst, Putin's actions in Crimea seek to send a message that the world is changing. While Europe is hesitating with its response and facing a cultural and identity crisis, there is a rising collective belief in Moscow that history is flipping over.

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Tags: Ivan Krastev, Center for Liberal Strategies, Adam Michnik, Ukraine, Putin, Crimea

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