Former U.S. ambassador in Ukraine
Steven Pifer is afraid of stirring up separatist moods in Crimea by the
nationalistic circles among Russian authorities the nearest years. It
may lead to armed conflicts on the peninsula. At the worst, Russian
troops may be drawn into a conflict with Ukrainian members of the top
brass, considers diplomat. “Armed conflicts between
separatists and Ukrainian security services are at the highest risk”,
is pointing ex-ambassador in the report for the Council on foreign
relations. Finally, it may lead to a crisis challenging territorial
integrity of Ukraine, cites Crimean agency Novy region Steven Pifer as
saying.
“Nationalists in Russia will be catching any separatist
moves on the Crimean peninsula to revive disputes of 90s years on
allegedly illegal delivery of Crimea to Ukraine”, is predicting former
ambassador.
“Persistent efforts of Russia to encourage
separatism in Crimea or renewal of relations between Crimea and Russia
may become the main point of the agenda of dispute between USA and
Russia”, states diplomat. “The results may eclipse results of the
conflict between Russia and Georgia in 2008”.
According to
Steven Pifer, Washington is to settle contradictions between Moscow and
Kyiv. “The U.S. President Barak Obama and the government are interested
in policy downplaying domestic tensions in Ukraine and minimizing
confrontation between Ukraine and Russia”, he noted, MIGnews informed.
“Remembering
experience of Georgia, Washington should guarantee transparency in Kyiv
on supporting Ukraine in the case of confrontation with Moscow”,
stressed Steven Pifer.
