How can the West solve its Ukraine problem? by Anatol Lieven

Europe

3 December 2014 | http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30278606

How can the West solve its Ukraine problem?

By Anatol Lieven Professor, Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Russia badly overplayed its hand last year when it tried to bring Ukraine into the Eurasian Union against the passionate opposition of many Ukrainians.
The European Union is now risking the same thing by trying to bring Ukraine into the West without reference to economic reality or the willingness of European publics to bear the enormous costs involved, and at a time when the EU itself is in deepening crisis.
Russia is suffering badly as a result of Western economic sanctions - but Ukraine's situation is far worse, with a predicted fall in GDP of 7% this year.
If this decline continues, the Ukrainian state will face collapse,http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30278606