Fishing in very troubled waters, the US administration, in February 2014, succeeded in engineering a coup in Kiev which overthrew the democratically elected, Russia-oriented government of Victor Yanukovich, triggering a civil war in Ukraine which is still ongoing. In this talk, Alfons van der Kraan will provide some historical background to these tragic events. Among other things, he will focus attention on the relationship between Russia and Ukraine in Tsarist times; on Ukraine during the revolution and civil war of 1917-21; and on Ukraine during the 1930s and WWII. Even though Alfons is well aware that the future is unknowable, he nonetheless will conclude his talk by offering some considered opinions on the likely course of events in the immediate future, examining the roles in these events of the United States, the European Union and the Russian Federation. He hopes that these opinions will stimulate debate among the participants in the discussion. Kent House in Faulkner Street opposite Central Park.
Friday Politics with March Armidale
Friday, November 21, 2014 - 18:00