Conflict Trends Update

U.S.-RUSSIA

U.S., European, and Russian officials embarked on a series of diplomatic meetings with Russian officials this week in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna. The meetings follow months of mounting fears of a Russian offensive against Ukraine and Moscow’s demand for negotiations with the U.S. on halting, and in some ways rolling back, NATO’s eastward expansion. Crisis Group expert Olga Oliker says the meetings ended without any agreements, and with Moscow stating that it sees no reason for further talks. It was never likely that this week’s talks would lead to resolution but if discussions do in fact cease, the risks of conflict are indeed higher.