Professor Gwendolyn Sasse comments on whether Russia will escalate its conflict with Ukraine

Gwendolyn Sasse has written for 'Judy Dempsey's Strategic Europe' (21 January) as part of Carnegie Europe online, in a piece asking the question: Will Russia Escalate in Ukraine and Beyond? (1 January)

Gwendolyn writes, "Russia holds the key to escalation, but it should not be forgotten that this process involves more than one party. Escalation works only if it triggers the intended response from the other side. The only way to counteract Russian and local attempts at escalation may be not to respond in kind. That would no doubt be a difficult decision for the Ukrainian leadership, but it is the only option that is likely to limit the number of further casualties and prepare the ground for peace talks."

The full article can be read here: http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=57773