The meaning and scope of the recent elections held in Ukraine have deep implications for both that country and the other former Soviet republics as well as consequences in Russian relations with the West.

Assessing
Pictured left to right, William B. Taylor, George A. Lopez, Lauren van Metre

On June 5th, 2014 from 1:00-2:30 PM, USIP held a conversation with William B. Taylor, USIP vice president for Middle East and Africa and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and George A. Lopez, USIP vice president for the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding.

Ambassador Taylor discussed his first-hand observations of the election in Ukraine and shared his assessment of the prospects for Ukraine and its relations with Russia and the West going forward. George A. Lopez, author/editor of six books and more than 40 articles on economic sanctions, assessed the impact of sanctions on Russia in this crisis and what might be expected in the future. 

Speakers

Lauren van Metre, Moderator
Director, Grants Strategy & Applied Research on Conflict, U.S. Institute of Peace

William B. Taylor
Vice President for Middle East and Africa,  U.S. Institute of Peace

George A. Lopez
Vice President for the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

In Russia’s Hybrid War on Europe, Moldova’s Critical Next 15 Months

In Russia’s Hybrid War on Europe, Moldova’s Critical Next 15 Months

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

A rising risk in southeast Europe is Russia’s sharpening of conflicts to block Moldova’s effort to join the European Union. The Kremlin is escalating a hybrid campaign to manipulate three Moldovan elections over the next 15 months. Moscow last week hosted the formation of a political bloc around its primary Moldovan ally, a fugitive billionaire convicted of the country’s worst-ever bank fraud — and sent a startling flood of pre-election cash that police seized at Moldova’s main airport. This is a critical season for Moldova’s democratic allies to help it defeat Russian disinformation and election subversion.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Ukraine’s New U.S. Lifeline: Why It’s Vital and What’s Next

Ukraine’s New U.S. Lifeline: Why It’s Vital and What’s Next

Thursday, April 25, 2024

This week’s U.S. approval of nearly $61 billion in funds for Ukraine’s defense is a lifeline in the Ukrainians’ struggle against Russia’s unprovoked invasion and the assault on peace and rule of law in Europe and beyond. Ukrainian troops have been rationing ammunition, their lack of defensive missiles has exposed Ukrainian cities to Russian aerial attacks — and many military analysts predicted a probable collapse on part of Ukraine’s eastern defensive lines. While this U.S. action boosts Ukrainians’ capacities and morale, ending this war will need further funds, forces and security measures for those fighting and suffering for their survival — and for the redemption of international peace through rule of law.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Whither NATO at 75?

Whither NATO at 75?

Thursday, April 11, 2024

NATO marked its 75th anniversary last week at a celebration in Brussels. While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has injected the alliance with new life and resolve, the 32-member collective security pact is also wrestling with its future in a world of growing great power competition. In 2022, NATO formally identified for the first time China as a challenge to its interests and collective security. As NATO continues to support Ukraine and look to future global challenges, it also has internal issues to address, ranging from individual member defense spending to the problems posed by the need for collective decision-making among 32 members.

Type: Question and Answer

Global Policy

View All Publications