Mikhail Troitskiy is an international affairs analyst in Moscow. Throughout his career, he has worked as a researcher, university professor and manager of training and research projects, as well as a program officer for a major international donor. His interests include negotiation theory and foreign policy analysis, arms control and conflicts in Eurasia. He is a co-author and co-editor, with Fen Osler Hampson, of "Tug of War: Negotiating Security in Eurasia".

With Mikhail, we discuss the following points:

• Genesis of the conflict – when and how did the conflict between Russia and Ukraine really start?

• Interests - what in your opinion are the interests of the fighting parties?

• W ...