Ukraine developments - Setback for Russia?

President Vladimir Putin's aggressive but at times prudent foreign policy, including in the Syrian conflict, has earned him credits in recent times. Lately, however, the Russian leader has suffered a setback in Ukraine. The former Soviet republic has been in the international news for more than three months now. The pro-Moscow regime had to give in as things went in favour of the 'West' and the wind went out of Kremlin's sails. This has come as a big blow for Moscow since it supported a president, who had to leave to escape public wrath.
 In the turn of events that followed, Ukraine was set for a series of positive developments like the formation of a new government, new elections, etc., and the ball has already been set rolling. Earlier, embattled president Victor Yanukovych reached an understanding with the opposition to end the long-running political crisis in the country, but he had to quit the scene in a humiliating manner as the opposition chose new leaders both in the administration and parliament to oversee the interim phase. Even though the ousted president claims that he would "come back and punish the bandits", there seems little chance that he would achieve this objective in the near future.
The Yanukovych government, before its fall, reached an understanding brokered mainly by the European Union and also lately supported by Russia on a variety of issues relating to the political future of the country.
Under the agreement, a national unity government would have been formed, constitutional reforms would have started immediately and be completed by September, 2014, presidential elections would have been held no later than December this year, etc. The deal was made possible following hectic negotiations that also involved the government's main supporter Russia and the opposition's friends - the European Union. Earlier, American Vice-President Joe Biden had threatened that the US would impose sanctions on Ukraine government for killing of the anti-government protestors by its officials. The nation of 46 million is sharply divided over the pro-Russian and pro-West leanings. The peace deal was signed in the presidential palace 'Blue Hall' in presence of the European Union envoys by the president and three opposition leaders including the charismatic boxer-turned lawmaker Vitali Klistcho. The development calmed down much of the heat, but many protestors were unwilling to see the president to remain in power any longer. Sensing the hostile situation, the president preferred to flee amidst uncertainties.
The situation in the country turned volatile in recent days with signs of a civil war becoming apparent, as the opposition supporters were readying themselves to fight the security forces. The West severely condemned the government actions that ignited the situation.
Latest reports from the country said that the opposition-led parliament was preparing to form a new unity government, probably by the time this column is printed. The authorities now in the helm of affairs have issued a warrant of arrest against the ousted president Yanukovych, who is now a fugitive, over the "mass murders" of the protestors. They have also asked for 35 billion of Western aid to pull out the crisis-hit country from the brink of economic collapse.  
Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev has questioned the new leadership in Ukraine, saying its acceptance by the western countries is "wrong" and felt that there is none in Kiev for any meaningful negotiations. In this context, American national security adviser Susan Rice observed that it would be a "grave mistake" for Ukraine's old master Moscow to send troops to that country and try to have a government of its choice.
Russia's foreign policy is seen as successful to some extent on certain crucial issues like the Syrian conflict when it could avert an impending American military attack on Syria and dramatically facilitated an accord on elimination of Damascus's chemical weapons. In the Ukraine issue, it remains to be seen how Moscow tackles the new situation.
[email protected]