Ukraine's Dependence on the West Grows

Ukraine's internal troubles are pressuring the country's leaders to shift their stance amid ongoing talks with Russia and the West. On Feb. 9, the Ukrainian government announced it will call for parliament to meet on Feb. 23-27 to amend the country’s current budget so that it complies with International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands and completes negotiations for a new bailout package. The same day, in a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Barack Obama said U.S. and European leaders are working with the International Monetary Fund to give financial aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine's financial crisis is occurring alongside a host of other issues. The country faces the prospect of yet another natural gas cutoff, rising public dissatisfaction with results of military operations in Ukraine's east and fears of further Russian escalation. As Ukrainian, European and Russian leaders continue negotiating the future of Donbas in talks set for Feb. 11, the growing economic and political challenges in other areas of Ukraine will shape the dynamics of the talks by deepening Kiev's dependency on the West and pressuring the Ukrainian leadership to accept Western proposals for concessions.