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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to the Ukraine, and has brought a pledge of $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees as a show of support for Ukraine’s new government.     

Kerry is in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev in an effort to support the interim government as it prepares to move forward in light of Russian military operations in Crimea.

Council of Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Robert Kahn writes, “The transitional government talks of being a ‘kamikaze government’, taking tough and unpopular measures, but that could put extraordinary stress on an already fragile coalition. To try and rush a program would be a mistake, as it would likely be underfunded and subject to conditions the current government cannot or will not stick to.”

Washington has stated the $1 billion loan guarantee was an effort to help Ukraine overcome energy subsidies.  Currently, Russia provides vast amounts of natural gas to Ukraine and the United States is in the process of helping Kiev to be less dependent on imports.  

The underlying pinning’s of this entire episode culminating with Russian intervention in Crimea region of the Ukraine, is that the people want real reform not corrupt leadership at the top emanating from the government.

Natalka Sniadanko in the New York Times, writes, “Both eastern and western camps had a chance at ruling, and both failed. In doing so, they showed Ukrainians that the challenge was not between one region or another, but between the corrupt at the top and the people, whatever region they are from. Politicians today are finally being asked for plans of action that will actually achieve things, rather than populist slogans or ideological myths.”

The one aspect of this entire crisis which is missing is what is the ultimate goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin?  Currently, Russian forces are in the Crimea region in an effort to secure the Russian Black fleet and maintain Russian access to the Black Sea.  This is not changing anytime soon.

What is the real motive behind Putin’s strategy? Is this an effort by Putin to reconstruct the former Soviet Union, but focused on a more traditional Russian model?  Does he want the eastern part of Ukraine with its Russian speaking majority? How is this crisis playing to them?

Now with U.S. Secretary of State Kerry in Ukraine showing support for the interim Ukrainian government, Kerry also needs to work in consultation with our European allies and provide a frame work from which a coherent strategy emerges.

The U.S. has different options, and this does not always have to begin with the military.  Too often the military is the first option when there are other viable economic ones which can be more punitive.

The U.S. just needs a comprehensive strategic strategy as we move forward.

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