PERSPECTIVE Between Principles and Pragmatism Perspectives on the Ukraine Crisis from Brazil, India, China and South Africa FELIX HETT AND MOSHE WIEN(EDS.) May 2015 n In the EU, the Ukraine crisis is often portrayed as an epochal conflict with global consequences. To test this assumption, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung(FES) asked four authors from Brazil, India, China and South Africa to explain how foreign-policy elites in their countries regard the crisis. Does it pose a challenge to the international order – or is it a singularly»European« problem? n Responses vary, but some similarities are found in all four papers: Whilst the con ­flict is indeed seen as serious, it is not perceived as critical – the way it is in Europe. Ukraine makes fewer headlines in Brazil or South Africa than in the EU, yet it is de ­bated in expert circles, and its global implications are recognised. n The governments of the BRICS countries advocate a peaceful approach to conflict resolution. All of them have voiced their respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and terri ­torial integrity. For both India and China, which are threatened by latent separatist conflicts, the inviolability of borders and the rejection of outside interference are cherished principles. n In the competition between principles and pragmatism, however, the latter seems to prevail: Criticism of Russia’s actions vis­à -vis Ukraine is hardly voiced in public by government officials. Apparently, counterbalancing the West’s perceived dominance in international relations is thought to be more important than upholding principles. Realpolitik appears to be the order of the day in the BRICS capitals.