You're reading: Experts: US seeks broader role in Ukrainian events

Moscow - The phone conversation between U.S. senior diplomat Victoria Nuland and the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv about Ukraine, which leaked online and triggered an international scandal, means that some of the U.S. ruling elites are irritated with the limited influence of the West on the Ukrainian political situation, Russian policy experts presume.

A transcript of the conversation between U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt, in which foul language was used in speaking about the European Union, leaked onto the internet on Feb. 6.

Foundation for Effective Politics President Gleb Pavlovsky told Interfax on Feb. 7 that the leaked call reflected the U.S. concern about the uncontrollable situation in Ukraine rather than their intentions to depose President Viktor Yanukovych.

“The transcript of this call shows that Western governments are not giving a serious consideration to the resignation of Yanukovych before the election in 2015. They proceed from the premise that he is a legitimate president and they are interested in who will control the government in the period before the election,” Pavlovsky told Interfax.

“The transcript demonstrates the regular level of relations of the U.S. Embassy and, by the way, the European embassies with the Ukrainian opposition and also with the Ukrainian authorities. There is no big difference in the level of contacts between the Western embassies and the opposition and the presidential administration. They are maintaining a constant dialogue. There is nothing new about that,” the expert said.

“Everything we have learned from the transcript is banal. That the Americans do not like [Svoboda nationalist organization leader Oleh] Tiahnybok, and that they think the participation of [UDAR party leader Vitali] Klitschko in the government would be harmful because it will hinder his being a strong presidential candidate. Mrs. Nuland’s dislike for the European Union is not a big secret either. It is just that the transcript and the situation in Ukraine is an unpleasant, irritating moment for her [Nuland],” Pavlovsky opined.

In turn, Director of the Institute for Political Studies Sergei Markov told Interfax on Feb. 7, “The United States seized control over Euromaidan from the EU in January. The harsh words Nuland said about Europe reflected the extreme discontent of a part of the American elites with the inability of the Europeans to organize a coup.”

“Ukraine is de facto witnessing a state coup led by radicalized nationalists rather than peaceful protesters,” Markov said, adding that the coup was enjoying active support and financing from abroad. In his opinion, political rivals of U.S. President Barack Obama amongst others stick to this tactic in Ukraine.

“The geopolitical meaning is obvious: they want to prevent Ukraine’s rapprochement with Russia. Naturally, such activities in Ukraine worsen the relationship. Besides, I think this is being done in evasion of Barack Obama who is not willing to make relations tense with Moscow. That this is being done by Department of State hawks, and officers of the U.S. security services related to the Republican Party are playing a concrete role in Euromaidan,” the expert said.