Time for US to defuse Ukraine crisis

The greatest danger here is that Ukraine is edging closer to a full-scale civil war by the day. But there is an even greater danger of the conflict escalating into a direct military confrontation between the US-led NATO forces and Russia, a scenario with the most horrific consequences for both sides.

A NATO intervention in Ukraine, followed by a reciprocal move by Russia, is not a desirable outcome. Therefore, as tensions rise and the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, policymakers in Washington and Moscow need to recognize the extremely urgent need to find a way of extricating themselves from this crisis. This should be done before the situation in Ukraine transforms from a regional crisis to a full-blown international conflagration.

During a recent interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Washington an opportunity to break this futile cycle of mutual accusation and ineffectual posturing. He said: "I think there is nothing that would hinder normalization and normal cooperation with the West. This does not depend on us, or rather not only on us. This depends on our partners." In the same interview, he welcomed the appointment of former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg as the next NATO secretary-general.

Regardless of the West's opinion of Putin, he has been demonstrating, ever since he first took office 15 years ago, his willingness and ability to constructively cooperate with the US on major issues. Even today, crucial US air supplies to the NATO-backed security forces in Afghanistan are made easier by Russia, which provides secure access through its Northern Air Corridor. Besides, the US and Russia both share the same security concerns with regard to the spread of nuclear weapons and terror threats from radical Islamists.

To be sure, it is Washington that holds practically all the keys to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. Not only has Washington helped install the present government but also, judging from the incessant visits of senior US officials to Kiev, it has been calling the shots.

Edward Lozansky is president of the American University in Moscow, and Martin Sieff is a senior fellow at the American University in Moscow.