What Putin wants matters less than what he doesn’t
By Pierre Briançon
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
The Western governments wondering what Vladimir Putin wants in Ukraine should start by focusing on what he doesn’t. That has become a little clearer after the Russian president’s rambling press conference earlier this week, during which glimpses of rationality appeared amidst a long, disingenuous rant against the new authorities in Kiev. Putin doesn’t want Crimea – which is only a pawn in his Ukrainian game. He is not ready to take the risk of a Western-style democracy in the former Soviet republic. And he fears the disruption of the economic and financial ties that bind Russia and Ukraine.
Japan pension debate goes beyond bonds and stocks
By Andy Mukherjee
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Japan’s pension reform debate is heating up. But it’s in danger of missing the wood for the trees.
Italy’s Renzi off to a bad start
By Neil Unmack
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Matteo Renzi has been forced to amend his electoral reform. The result could mean that Italy will remain ungovernable. The new prime minister’s hand is weaker, even though the risk of early elections has subsided. And serious economic reforms will be harder.
Bondholders will have to pay for Ukraine’s reset
By Neil Unmack
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Ukraine bondholders haven’t seen the end of their suffering. The country’s bonds have sunk in spite of talks of an imminent bailout by the International Monetary Fund. The country’s creditors may face either a soft debt rescheduling or more radical haircuts. The risks of austerity, devaluation and continued political uncertainty all point to the latter.
West can hurt Russia – if there’s a will
By Pierre Briançon
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Western powers seem to consider that Crimea is gone, that Russia is there to stay, and that their main option is to increase the “cost” – Barack Obama’s word – that Vladimir Putin must pay for his actions in the Ukrainian territory.
Deadly assault brings new kind of risk to China
By John Foley
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
The shocking knife attack that left at least 33 dead in Kunming railway station brings a new kind of risk to China. Investors’ belief in the relative stability of the People’s Republic has allowed it to weather political purges and border disputes without upsetting asset prices or capital flows. But rising ethnic tension could lead to a damaging recalculation at a fragile time.
Japan bond investors’ overseas trip may flop again
By Andy Mukherjee
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Japanese bond investors’ latest overseas trip might flop, just like last summer’s foray. That’s bad news for the investors and for Tokyo’s anti-deflation campaign.
At least Venezuela’s unrest is simply economics
By Martin Hutchinson
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Of all the countries in the world currently undergoing serious unrest, Venezuela’s problems look the easiest to resolve. It’s just economics. Broadly speaking, Ukraine’s rupture is ethnic, Thailand’s regional and Syria’s religious. By contrast, Venezuela is ethnically and religiously united. It even has oil wealth. But high inequality and growing chaos bedevil the Latin American nation – problems that can be alleviated even without wrenching political upheaval.
Italy’s Renzi has big dreams and small mandate
By Neil Unmack
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
Italy’s new prime minister has big dreams and a small mandate. Matteo Renzi has announced ambitious reforms on a tight deadline. But his position in parliament is weaker than even his sleepy predecessor’s.
Ukraine, the bailout Europe cannot shirk
By Pierre Briançon
The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
The European Union brokered the deal that triggered the end of the Yanukovich regime. With Russia angry and the United States absent, it must now lead the rescue of Ukraine’s bankrupt economy – and first decide when to act, and how.
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Breakingviews: Safeway the hard wayMarch 7 - Jeffrey Goldfarb talks to Breakingviews columnists about Cerberus' complicated $9.4 bln buyout of supermarket chain Safeway and the struggle to provide a healthy premium.Video
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Breakingviews: What Putin doesn’t want (and that's Crimea)Mar. 7 - Western governments wondering what Russian President Putin wants should focus on what he doesn't want, and Crimea is only a pawn in his Ukrainian game, says Breakingviews.Video
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