Ukraine crisis must not herald a new cold war

Want China Times, Editorial 2014-09-09

A destroyed armored vehicle in Donetsk, Ukraine, Aug. 24. (File photo/Xinhua)

The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine reached a ceasefire agreement on Sept. 5 signed under the supervision of the Contact Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Meanwhile, at the NATO summit in Wales, its 28 member states did not approve any major aid to Ukraine and are considering extending economic sanctions against Russia. At the Wales summit, the West issued a verbal promise of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty in eastern Ukraine but avoided committing to any form of help.

Neither Russia nor the West is going to be a winner in the Ukraine crisis that heralds a new cold war. Imposing sanctions on Russia hurts the European Union. Germany suffered the greatest as its exports to Russia slipped 18% during the first half of this year and its exports to Ukraine dropped by 32%.

Restricted by sanctions imposed by the West, Russia has strengthened cooperation with China. It seeks to mitigate economic losses by expanding energy production and exporting oil and natural gas to China on a long-term basis.

The West-Russia confrontation will not help internal unrest and separation of Ukraine. The ceasefire can be threatened anytime. Therefore, the United States and Europe need to relax tensions with Russia in order to restore order in Europe.