Inside Story

Is Russia planning to destabilise Ukraine?

Pro-Moscow activists in Donetsk have declared a sovereign republic.

The events in the eastern city of Donetsk are the latest episode in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine provoking fears that Moscow could be orchestrating a second Crimea scenario in Ukraine’s east.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said his country is not destabilising Ukraine. In a piece in the Guardian newspaper, Lavrov accused the EU and US of pursuing what he called an unproductive and dangerous policy in the region.

In Washington, the US has warned that any move by Russia into eastern Ukraine would be a very serious escalation that could bring further sanctions.

So what is the future holding for Ukraine?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests: Vyacheslav Matuzov – former Russian diplomat in Washington.

Mychailo Wynnychyj – associate professor at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Lilit Gevorgyan – country analyst for Russia & Commonwealth of Independent states (CIS) in Country Analysis & Forecasting Group at IHS Global Insight.