7 wrong ideas about the Ukraine crisis explained by Alina Mungiu Pippidi

Alina Mungiu Pippidi wrote a blog post for the Clean Romania Alliance website, where she explains seven of the most common misinterpretations of the situation to the East of Romania and why they are incorrect.

Pippidi has worked for several years as the editor of the Early Warning Report for UNDP Crimeea and was sent on location twice.

1. Russia invaded Crimeea

Alina Mungiu Pippidi argues that Russia already controlled Crimeea, and the only one “allowed” to remain there was Ukraine along with its authorities.

2. The sovereignty of Ukraine and Crimeean control are at stake

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The journalist argues that Ukraine could not exist as a state without Russian approval. If Ukraine wants to become part of the European Union, it would not be able to do so without leaving Russia a part of its territory and population.Crimeea is for Russia, what Kosovo is for Serbia.

3. The Ukrainian nation does not exist

Pippidi believes that Ukrainians are moved by a genuine national sentiment, despite the fact that their borders are a result of “soviet engineering”.

4. Democracy is good and brings to the surface only the best people

Alina Mungiu Pippidi offers Yugoslavia and early XXth century Europe as examples where democracy brought forth ethnical conflicts (whereas authoritary regimes supresses conflicts).

5. We don’t change European borders

European borders are constantly moving, Pippidi argues, and offers the example of Croatia, a country born out of “war and “ethnic purification”.

6. This is a conflict between the West and Russia

Alina Mungiu Pippidi believes that the only countries truly interested in Ukraine’s destiny are Russia and the US, whereas Europe is not interested in a new member that is too poor and too corupt to support itself. Furthemore, a good deal of Europe takes its energy from Russia.

7. The third world war will start in Ukraine

The journalist argues that the Russians cannot support a war economically.

“Europe has never really loved Ukraine”, Pippidi concludes.