Three former American ambassadors to Kiev, John E. Herbst, Steven Pifer and William B. Taylor, Jr.,expressed their views regarding Ukraine's current situation and its future. A new Ukraine was born in the Maidan, but the United States and Europe have thus far failed to make an adequate commitment to its success. With Ukraine’s economic output having shrunk by a quarter, the currency sharply devalued and a population fearful of an uncertain future, Ukraine is teetering on the brink.
Appropriately funding efforts to improve Ukraine’s stability is a down payment on Europe’s collective security. U.S.Congress and the Obama administration should work together to provide an additional $2 billion to $5 billion in economic support. At the same time, Washington should seek to persuade the European Union to make a similar commitment for a total of $10 billion, the optimal amount of support to allow Ukraine’s government room to maneuver. However, any future assistance package must be made conditional on the Ukrainian government’s commitment to accelerate reform and root out corruption. Read more at http://www.nytimes.com
Appropriately funding efforts to improve Ukraine’s stability is a down payment on Europe’s collective security. U.S.Congress and the Obama administration should work together to provide an additional $2 billion to $5 billion in economic support. At the same time, Washington should seek to persuade the European Union to make a similar commitment for a total of $10 billion, the optimal amount of support to allow Ukraine’s government room to maneuver. However, any future assistance package must be made conditional on the Ukrainian government’s commitment to accelerate reform and root out corruption. Read more at http://www.nytimes.com
