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Austin City Limits: The Milk Carton Kids w/ Sarah Jarosz: 'Years Gone By'

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Killgore Trout2/13/2014 6:49:44 pm PST

Russia tells West it’s time for common ground on Ukraine - or else

US and EU officials have shuttled through Kiev to exert the kind of behind-the-scenes stage management of which Russia is often accused, and without ponying up financial aid. And, alarmingly for Moscow, this diplomacy appears to be working.

“Lavrov’s article underscores Russia’s growing unease about Ukraine,” says Sergei Strokan, a foreign affairs columnist who covers Ukraine for Kommersant.

Mr. Strokan argues that Russia’s overt political meddling in Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution backfired, which is why Russian President Vladimir Putin has instead opted to use his checkbook this time. But it has not paid off, he says.

“The Europeans and Americans, who haven’t put up a penny yet, have the diplomatic advantage in Kiev…. And we’re standing there looking like idiots,” Mr. Strokan says.